Appropriate precautionary measures must be taken to minimise significant risks to the health and safety of people. People must not be exposed to sources of imminent danger. Risk control systems and associated precautionary measures must meet requirements set out in legislation and associated approved codes of practice. They must take account of the recognised hierarchy for risk control. Risk control systems must include contingency measures that address risks arising from unplanned events, and include measures to ensure the continued application and effectiveness of the control measures. Where uncertainty exists about the degree of hazard, measures for risk control shall be adopted that should protect people from harm despite the uncertainty. Where significant risks are likely to be encountered or created then a risk assessment must be carried out to ensure management of the risks.

The University has established a health and safety risk register based on key hazards.

Where interaction between departments or organisations has an effect on the risk or is necessary for control of risk then responsibilities and arrangements between the departments or organisations must be clearly defined.

Health and safety issues must be addressed at the specification, design, development and implementation phases in all planning, projects and working practices within the University and in its dealings with suppliers and contractors.

Health and safety should be an integral part of everyone’s job such that staff understand the hazards and risks that they could face; and the behaviours, control measures, and local rules that they need to follow.

Heads of Departments are accountable for achieving University health and safety policy and standards within their own areas of accountability by reviewing performance, setting objectives, formalising arrangements, and ensuring that necessary actions by their Department are completed.

Principal Investigators are accountable for meeting University health and safety standards for their research activities and facilities. In particular, Principal Investigators are accountable for assessing, taking account of, and addressing the risks including health and safety risks associated with new research proposals in line with University health and safety policies and requirements.

Staff who have authority to instigate and direct activities and to instruct others are accountable for the health and safety of the people, activities, and projects that they direct or instruct.

Staff in a supervisory position, including research supervisors, are accountable for the health and safety of the people, activities, and projects that they supervise. They must comply with the University’s health and safety policy and the arrangements for their Department.

Every individual staff, student, visitor or contractor must take care of their own health and safety; take due consideration for the health and safety of others; not interfere with or misuse facilities that are there in the interests of health and safety; and comply with the University’s policies and standards, and the relevant arrangements for the area or activity.

There are specific requirements on School of Life Science, School of Engineering, WMG, Department of Chemistry, Department of Physics and Warwick Medical School as departments with laboratories or research facilities that have specific hazards and recognised high risk activities.