Health and Safety

As an employer collaborating with Newbury College, it is essential to understand your responsibilities regarding health and safety. This guide outlines key obligations and provides essential rules to ensure a safe working environment for students working with you or at your premises.

  • Attending our campus

    All visitors must adhere to our health and safety rules when visiting our campus. Please review and comply with the following guidelines when attending our campus:

    • Sign-in procedure: All visitors must sign in at the main reception upon arrival and sign out when leaving the premises.
    • Identification: Visitors will be issued with a visitor badge which must be worn visibly at all times while on College grounds.
    • Safety briefing: If you are attending for an extended period or visiting specific high-risk areas (e.g., workshops, laboratories), a brief health and safety induction will be provided.
    • Fire safety: In the event of a fire alarm, all visitors must evacuate the building immediately via the nearest exit and assemble at the designated assembly point (in the main car park). Follow the instructions of fire marshals or other College staff. Fire drills are conducted periodically, and all visitors are expected to participate. If you require a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP), please inform the reception or Health and Safety Manager in advance.
    • First aid: First aid stations are located throughout the College. In case of injury, notify a member of staff immediately.
    • No smoking: Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is prohibited inside all College buildings. Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor smoking areas.
    • Restricted areas: Do not enter restricted areas, such as workshops, laboratories, or construction zones, without prior authorisation. These areas may require additional protective equipment and specific safety briefings.
    • Hazard awareness: Please be aware of any safety signage, warnings, or hazard markings on site. Follow all instructions, particularly in areas where there is construction or maintenance work.
    • Mobile phones: The use of mobile phones is restricted in certain areas of the College due to safety concerns, particularly in practical learning environments where distractions can lead to accidents. Please follow signage or staff instructions regarding phone usage.
    • PPE requirements: If your visit involves entering areas that require PPE (such as workshops, science labs, or construction areas), you must wear the appropriate protective equipment, such as hard hats, safety goggles, or high-visibility clothing. The College can provide PPE upon request, but you are welcome to bring your own if it meets safety standards.
    • Vehicle safety: When driving or walking within College grounds, adhere to the campus speed limit and pedestrian crossing areas.
    • Reporting: If you witness or are involved in an accident, near miss, or unsafe condition while on College premises, report it immediately to your College contact or a member of staff. All incidents must be recorded for health and safety purposes.

  • At your premises

    As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved, including students and apprentices. Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must:

    • Provide a safe workplace: Ensure that the workplace is safe and does not pose any risks to health.
    • Offer welfare facilities: Provide adequate facilities for welfare, such as rest areas and clean washrooms.
    • Manage risks: Identify potential hazards and implement control measures through risk assessments.
    • Training and information: Ensure that all employees and students are informed about risks and receive appropriate health and safety training.

    Students and apprentices have a legal duty to take care of their own health and safety and those around them. However, as an employer, you are responsible for:

    • Induction and training: Providing a comprehensive induction covering health and safety procedures, including how to handle specific risks.
    • Supervision: Ensuring that students are adequately supervised, particularly in environments where they may face unfamiliar risks.
    • Safe use of machinery: Students must be trained to use machinery and equipment safely. Employers should check machinery regularly for safety issues and ensure it is only used by qualified individuals.
    Key areas of focus
    • Fire safety: Fire risk assessments must be conducted regularly. Employers should ensure that fire detection systems are in place and operational, with fire drills being conducted periodically. Fire safety procedures specific to your premises should be provided to all students or apprentices.
    • First aid: Adequate first aid provisions should be in place, with trained first aiders present on-site. Employers should ensure that emergency procedures are clearly communicated to students.
    • Incident reporting: Any incidents, accidents, or near misses should be reported promptly. This includes injuries or dangerous occurrences that fall under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Employers must ensure that such incidents are recorded and investigated thoroughly.
    • Manual handling: Tasks involving lifting, carrying, or moving should be risk-assessed to minimise injury risks. Ensure that students receive proper manual handling training where applicable.
    • Lone working: Ensure students are not placed in situations where they are expected to work alone without appropriate safety measures.

  • Risk management

    Risk assessments are essential for identifying potential hazards and implementing control measures. We can support you to:

    • Conduct risk assessments: These assessments should include activities such as operating machinery, handling hazardous materials, and any task-specific risks.
    • Control substances hazardous to health (COSHH): Ensure that hazardous substances are properly managed and that safety data sheets are available.
    • Provide personal protective equipment (PPE): Where necessary, ensure that appropriate PPE is used by students and apprentices.

    pdf Company Health and Safety Assessment (208 KB)  (Template for example purposes)

  • Key contacts and resources

    • Health and Safety Manager: Contact our Health and Safety Manager for guidance on compliance and for advice on implementing effective safety measures.
    • Health and Safety Executive (HSE): Refer to the HSE website for legal guidelines and best practices.