The CUC Guide states that: "the governing body carries ultimate responsibility for the health and safety of employees, students and other individuals while they are on the institution's premises and in other places where they may be affected by its operations…" In practice, management responsibility for health and safety is usually delegated to a lead health and safety professional, but the governing body's duties include:
Beyond the legislative framework covering health & safety at work, all universities and colleges have a common law obligation as employers to protect their employees – the duty of care. Employers also have a legal duty to consult their staff on health & safety.
The well-being of employees is assuming greater significance. The Government’s response to Dame Carol Black’s review of the health of the nation indicates that employers will be expected to be much more proactive in this area than hitherto. HEFCE and the SFC are funding a 2 year programme aiming to improve performance in the sector through improving well-being.
More information [PDF, 44Kb]. See also further material on occupational health, safety and well-being [Word, 40Kb]