Student Activities
Health and Safety Pack 2013-14
Our vision is to have a positive impact on the lives of all our
members.
Our mission is to make student life better
Registered Charity (1137401)
Health and Safety Pack Guidelines In order to make your year as
an activity group as safe as it can be you are required to complete
this health and safety pack before carrying out any activities. By
doing this your members will know exactly what is expected of them
along with the key responsibilities you undertake as an activity
group leader. By filling out the pack you should have all the
information needed to complete your risk assessment(s).
In addition to filling out this pack you will need to book a 1-1
session with the Students Union Health and Safety Officer, Andy
Wright. To book the 1-1 session, please email
[email protected].
Once the pack is complete and signed off by Andy and Matt it
will be uploaded to your SU webpage to be accessed by your
members.
Table of Contents1. Principle members and their duties
2. Aims of the society
3. Code of conduct
4. Student Activities Constitution
5. Health & Safety
Duty of care
Equipment
Risk assessments
First Aid
Health Declaration
6. Emergency procedures
7. Disclosure of information1. Principle members and their
dutiesPresident: Jeffery Baily: [email protected]
has overall responsibility for chairing the groups meetings and act
as the key point of contact between members, the union and external
organisations. He also ensures that the group complies with SU
codes of conduct and legislation, including Health and Safety;
represent the group at Forum meetings; and liaise with and be the
main point of contact for the iZone team and the VP Sports &
Societies.
Treasurer: Matthew Hawkins: [email protected] is
responsible for the groups finances. He needs to keep track of the
groups expenditure against agreed budget and feed back this
information to the groups members at committee meetings. He also
assists the Chair in drawing up the groups annual budget and bids
for funding from the Student Activities Executive.
Social and Musical Events: Alex Hignett:
[email protected] is responsible for ensuring that
there are frequent musical events that are encompassing all
students and that all groups within the university are getting the
necessary help with organising concerts and performances. Also
ensuring that there are frequent social events where all HUMS
members feel they are welcome. Alex should ensure social and
musical events are successful, meaning that all students feel they
enjoyed their experience and mixed well with other HUMS
members.
Vice President: Natalie Davis: [email protected]
should help the president with ensuring that the group complies
with SU codes of conduct and legislation, including Health and
Safety; represent the group at Forum meetings; and liaise with and
be the main point of contact for the iZone team and the VP Sports
& Societies. She should also be another point of contact
between the members of the society. She is also a member of the
society who can help other members should they be struggling with
their responsibilities.
Marketing and advertising secretary: Tilly Tompkins:
[email protected] is responsible for ensuring that all
events are well advertised and that all HUMS members are regularly
contacted about upcoming events, and know the full details, time,
venue etc. She should also that the Izone are informed about HUMS
events. Tilly should also be making sure that University Students
are aware about HUMS and what students will get from joining the
society.
2. Principle Aims of the Society It is the aim of the society to
bring together students of all musical abilities and tastes who
have a common interest in Music. The society is about not only
meeting and socialising, but also organising student events where
the students who want to can show off their musical ability.
3. Code of Conduct Overview
This code of conduct aims to establish and maintain standards
towards providing a high quality service to all our members. It
addresses the fundamental values that are expected from all our
student group members and should be adhered at all times. This code
of conduct sets out the iZones expectations of student groups
towards their members and provides a framework for addressing
ethical issues in a competent and professional manner. Expectations
of your Student GroupAs a student group, you agree to abide by all
the terms and conditions of the Students Unions policies and
procedures and its Constitution. We also agree to abide by the
following code of conduct:
As a committee you are jointly responsible for a high standard
of behaviour in your individual roles and will strive to uphold the
good reputation of the Students Union
The Students Union vision, mission and values shall be reflected
in your groups activities.
Your group will be open to all students at the University of
Huddersfield and any activities are accessible to as diverse range
of students as possible.
As a committee you are responsible to the Student Activities
Executive who will accept budgets upon the completion of planning
documents, training and health and safety documents.
You will not hold any bank accounts outside the Students Union
and you will follow procedures and guidelines that are set out in
all student activity documents.
As a committee you all have responsibility to uphold a duty of
care to your members for all activities.
You understand that if you do not adhere to this code of conduct
the SAE have the power to follow disciplinary proceedings that may
lead to your removal from a committee position and dissolution of
your activity group.
For further information see the Students Union Constitution.4.
Student activities constitutionName of Society: 1. AFFILIATION
1. The above named society shall be an affiliated student
activity group of the University of Huddersfield Students Union,
and shall be referred to as the society throughout this
document
2. This constitution shall be reviewed every year.
3. All amendments to the constitution must be submitted to the
Student Activities Executive.
4. This society agrees to run in accordance with the Students
Union Constitution.
5. The society may affiliate to an external organisation with
agreement of the Student Activities Executive.
6. If the society competes in competitions organised by, or is
affiliated to, an external bodies, such as BUCS, it must comply
with all of its rules, laws and constitution.
7. The society will have a mission statement, aims and
objectives detailed in the planning and budget pack.
2. MEMBERSHIP1. Membership of the society is open to all
students studying at the University of Huddersfield.
2. Membership is subject to the payment of membership fees
agreed at the start of each academic year by the Student Activities
Executive.
3. If any member of the society breaks any regulation or this
constitution their society and Union membership may be revoked.
4. Affiliates and alumni of the Students Union may join the
society but are not eligible for any democratic rights or hold a
committee position with membership.
3. COMMITTEE AND MEETINGS1. The society will have a governing
committee made up of a minimum of 3 members.
2. These committee members will be elected in adherence to the
activities elections procedure at a club AGM by the end of the
second term.
3. The committee are responsible for the running of the society,
its finances, equipment, membership, liaising with the Students
Union VP Student Activities and the iZone.
4.Members may only hold one committee position at any one
time
5. All members of the committee have one vote
6. Voting by proxy is not permitted
7. In the result of a draw during a vote, the chair has a second
vote.
8. The removal of a society committee member shall be in line
with the removal and resignation procedure.
4. FINANCE1. The society committee are responsible for producing
a yearly budget, to be submitted for the approval of the Student
Activities Executive.
2. Society committee members with specific finance
responsibilities should keep up to date records and communicate
this with the VP Activities and the iZone team.
3. No bank accounts are to be held outside the Students
Union.
4. Purchasing must be done by the VP Student Activities or
iZone, unless prior written consent has been given.
5. EXPULSION OF MEMBERS AND DISSOLUTION1. The Student Activities
Executive have the power to expel any members from the society on
the grounds of misconduct, or for the conduct of a nature opposed
to the regulations set down in the Students Union constitution.
2. Any expulsion of members or dissolution of the society shall
be in adherence to the activities disciplinary, complaints and
appeals procedure. 5. Health And SafetyAll members of the society
have a duty of care to other members and any member of the public
that they may come into contact with whilst pursuing any of its
activities. The section below outlines several areas to be
considered and the committee would ask that all its members read
the following carefully.
5.1 DUTY OF CARE: COMMON LAW NEGLIGENCEThis document contacts a
very general and basic view of negligence. It sets out and
hopefully answers the questions that you ought to be asking. The
term `injury used herein means primarily physical injury and
consequential financial loses.
1WHERE DOES NEGLIGENCE FIT INTO OUR SOCIAL FABRIC?1.1All of us
understand that deliberately causing injury to others is a criminal
offence ordinarily resulting in punishment of the perpetrator.
1.2All of us understand that some injuries are accidental, i.e.
the circumstances giving rise to them are wholly unforeseeable. No
one is responsible. No compensation is payable.
1.3In between those two ends of the spectrum are `negligent acts
i.e., they are not deliberate, but the injury is foreseeable. The
negligent person will not be punished however, the injured party
may seek financial compensation as a result. The compensation is
paid by the individual who has caused the loss and could amount to
millions of pounds!
2WHAT DOES IT DO?2.1The system of rules is designed to determine
in any incident of injury whether an act was negligent, whether the
negligent act actually caused injury, whether compensation should
be paid and if so how much.
3HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME?3.1Each of us owes a `duty of care to our
`neighbours not to cause them injury by our negligent acts and
omissions.
3.2In order to satisfy or `discharge that duty of care you must
behave as a `reasonable person would but taking into account your
specific skills, knowledge and experience. For example, a
`reasonable non medically qualified `rescuer might be forgiven a
medical mistake which a reasonable qualified paramedic would be
expected not to make.
3.3Your neighbours are those people whom, if you thought about
it might be injured by your negligent acts and omissions.
For example:-
a)when driving a motor car your neighbours would include:-
- any passengers in your car
- other road users, drivers and their passengers
- pedestrians, cyclists etc
- owners of property adjoining the road
b)Anyone for whom you have accepted responsibility (see later
for the effect of being a group leader/clubs officer)
3.4The duty of care requires you to consider the consequences of
your acts and omissions and to ensure that those acts and/or
omissions do not give rise to a foreseeable risk of injury to
any
other person.
Clearly, one is not expected to guarantee the safety of others,
merely to act reasonably.3.5In short, all of us owe a duty not to
injure other people by our negligent acts and omissions and that is
an individual duty which each of us owe all of the time to our
`neighbours.
4DOES ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP OF A CLUB OR SOCIETY AFFECT MY
ORDINARY DUTY OF CARE?4.1Not usually. You still owe the individual
duty of care to your neighbours. However, the people who are your
`neighbours might alter and/or increase to include other club
members and others with whom you may now come into contact as a
result of membership of that club.
5WILL BEING A GROUP LEADER OF A CLUB OR OTHER ACTIVITY AFFECT MY
ORDINARY DUTY OF CARE?5.1It may do. As a group leader (or team
captain) you have accepted the responsibility of leading others.
You owe them a duty to ensure that they are not exposed to a
foreseeable risk of injury, as far as you reasonably can.
5.2It should be noted that on any outing where a group leader
has not been appointed the most experienced and or qualified person
there ought reasonably to intervene and at least advise if a
foreseeable risk of injury arises.
6WILL ACCEPTING OFFICE IN A CLUB AFFECT MY DUTY OF CARE?6.1Yes,
it may well do so. If you accept a position you are likely to agree
to carry out certain functions which may affect the safety of
others both inside and outside the club. You are accepting
responsibility and you must fulfil those duties to the best of your
ability without negligence. That is, you must not create a
foreseeable risk of injury and you must take reasonable steps to
deal with any foreseeable risk of injury which exists or
arises.
For example: if you agreed to be the equipment officer you must
take reasonable inspections of the equipment to see that it is
reasonably safe.
7CONCLUSION7.1The law of negligence seeks to ensure that as
individuals we are responsible for our actions and inactions and
that we consider those who might be injured by those acts and
omissions.
7.2The actual standard varies according to an individuals skill
and experience and requires us all to behave reasonably.
7.3It is possible to lay down golden rules which, if followed,
will preclude the possibility of a successful civil claim. However,
behaving responsibly and considerably is likely to mean that no
injury will be occasioned in the first place.
7.4The safety net that we all hope we will never need is third
party liability insurance. If a compensation claim is successfully
brought then this insurance should pay out. All members of the
Students Union automatically have such cover. Members of certain
clubs may have additional cover where affiliated to NGBs with that
facility. P.J. Debney, Partner, Cartwright and Lewis, Solicitors
1998
Sponsored by The Student Activities Safety Association5.2
Equipment Hums owns no equipment.5.3 Risk Assessment.It is a part
of the committees Duty of Care to carry out an assessment of risk
for our activities and communicate these to its members. Please
find below the most up to date risk assessment for our activity for
you attention.
Student Activities Risk Assessment: Karaoke at Student UnionName
of Activity Group: HUMS (music)
Name of Assessor: Alexandra HignettDate Risk Assessment carried
out: 14/6/13Potential HazardWho might be harmed and how?Evaluation
of risksPrecautions taken to minimise potential riskWho is
responsible for ensuring risk management is carried out?
FireAll persons present. Resulting in smoke inhalation burns or
even deathLOWAll participants are briefed on fire evacuation
procedure. Fire alarm system is checked weekly. Meeting
organiser
University estates dept
ElectrocutionAll persons present. Injury or deathLOWStudent
union equipment all PAT tested. First aid trained staff at
venue.Society organisers.
SU staff
Alcohol All persons present. Sickness and death.MediumDo not
encourage students to drink too much.Event organisers
5.4 First Aid First aid provisions are provided by student
union. First aid boxes are provided on all coaches provided by the
Students Union for the travelling element of our activities.
5.5 Health DeclarationIt is the intention of the committee to
actively encourage everyone irrespective of Health or disability,
however we would require that members disclose anything that may
impede there ability to participate. This is required to allow
where possible provisions to be made to allow members to
participate safely. The committee cannot accept liability for any
person who suffers an injury or health problems that is directly
attributed to a pre-existing medical condition that has NOT been
disclosed. 6. Emergency ProceduresIn the event of a serious
incident that may warrant the use of any of the
emergency services, the following procedure must be
followed:
1. Ensure the safety of yourself, your group and any
casualties.
2. Treat any casualties, where it is safe to do so and you have
sufficient first aid knowledge.
3. Call the emergency services if necessary.
4. Contact the University Security Control on 01484 472222.
5. Inform Security Control that there has been an incident
involving students, give them the number that you are calling from,
and ask them to call you back.
6. Security Control will require the following information:
Your name and where you are calling from
The name of your Student Activity Group
A brief description of the incident
The name(s) and number of students involved
The name of the hospital where any casualties have been
taken
The name and number of any Police Officer involved with the
incident
7. The controller will inform you what to do next, which will
usually be to wait by the telephone. They will implement the
procedure for action in Huddersfield. An official from the
University will phone you back and inform you what to do next.
7. Disclosure of InformationCases have been reported where
relatives have been contacted by the media than the Police
following serious accidents or incidents. This is obviously a
difficult situation, which should be avoided at all costs.
Unofficial statements may also affect proceedings if any legal
action is taken. To prevent this from happening, you should:
Liaise with emergency services as required. Let the emergency
services have the full name(s) of any casualties and any personal
details. The Police may also request the name and address of the
next of kin. Give them the name and telephone number of the
University official you have made contact with.
Do not make any statement to the media other than no comment. Do
not discuss any aspect of the incident with anyone who is not
connected to the emergency services.
Ensure that no member of the group makes a statement to the
media. Apparently innocent comments can be damaging.
On your return to the University, you must report to the
Membership Services Manager who will discuss the incident with you
and help in the completion of the Students Union report of an
incident or near miss occurrence form. This must be done as soon as
it is practicably possible in order to comply with health and
safety regulations.
