Ollscoil na Gaillimhe - University of Galway
PA-15: Workplace Health and Safety

University of Galway similar to the other Irish Universities operates a devolved safety management system to ensure at a minimum that the University and its staff are in compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations. 

The role of the Health and Safety Office in University of Galway is to advise and support the Údarás na hOllscoile (Governing Authority), all levels of University Management, Staff and other relevant stakeholders on how best to manage safety in our workplace as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and associated legislation. 

This website gathers the Health and Safety Office’s resources and other key information to make it readily accessible to University personnel. The main University of Galway safety policies and procedures are contained in the University of Galway Safety Statement.

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/health-safety/ 

The methodology to track and calculate University Galway accidents and near misses is set out in the University of Galway Safety Statement Part 5-15. In summary:

· The primary aim of accident reporting is to identify the causes and prevent the recurrence of such events.

· The “University of Galway Accident Report Form” is to be used to promptly report all accidents or near misses in Units or common areas (online system but in limited use).

· Accidents should be reported to the University’s Health and Safety Office within 24 hours of their occurrence.

· Contractors and other non-University of Galway employees must complete their own employer’s accident report form.

· All accidents and near misses are to be investigated promptly by the Head of the relevant Unit and Safety Co-ordinator with the objective of determining the root causes of the accident or near miss and the prevention of their recurrence.

· Where there are reasonably practicable measures which can be taken to prevent recurrence, Heads of Units have a duty to ensure that these are implemented and subsequently checked to monitor their effectiveness.

· The investigation must also include a review of the relevant risk assessment(s) and Safety Statement, to ensure that they are current and reflect best practice.

· The University of Galway Health and Safety Office reports certain accidents and dangerous occurrences to the Health and Safety Authority as required by the regulations.

· Interim safety measures may also be needed to ensure safety in the meantime e.g. the machine cannot be used until repaired and it should be tagged off and made unusable in the interim.

· As part of the accident/near miss review within a month of the accident it should be followed up to ensure that the remedial actions are being appropriately addressed and that the casualty has been appropriately involved in the accident follow-up process.