Staff Handbook Section 10 - Safety, Welfare and Hygiene
Index to section 10
Eye Tests for Users of Display Screen Equipment
1. You should make yourself familiar with the College's Health and Safety Policy and your own health and safety duties and responsibilities, as shown separately. Heads of Department have a copy of the Health and Safety Policy and there is also a copy kept in the Domestic Bursar's Assistant's office.
2. You must not take any action, which could threaten the health or safety of yourself, other members of staff, visitors or members of the public.
You should ensure that you are aware of the College's fire and evacuation procedures and of the action you should take in the event of such an emergency.
3. Protective clothing and other equipment, which may be issued for your protection because of the nature of your job, must be worn and used at all appropriate times. Failure to do so could be a contravention of your health and safety responsibilities and may result in disciplinary action being taken against you. Once issued, this protective wear/equipment is your responsibility.
4. You must report all accidents and injuries at work, no matter how minor, in the accident book maintained by the Head Porter, or for Catering Department staff, the Catering Manager. If you subsequently require any medical treatment as a result of the accident, this must also be reported. All accidents are reported to the Safety Officer and to the Health and safety Committee.
5. The College recognizes the health hazards to smokers and non-smokers and acknowledges the rights of Fellows, staff and students to work in a smoke-free environment. Consequently it has adopted the policy that you are not permitted to smoke inside any College building or enclosed public areas of the College. This must be observed at all times.
7. The College as your employer has a statutory duty to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, your health, safety and welfare at work. You have a responsibility to yourself and your colleagues to refrain from the use of alcohol and drugs, which may impair the safe and efficient running of the College and/or the health and safety of its members of staff.
8. The effects of alcohol and drugs include:
-
Absenteeism (e.g. unauthorised absence, lateness and excessive levels of sickness)
-
Higher accident levels (e.g. at work, elsewhere, driving to and from work)
-
Work performance (e.g. loss of concentration, tasks taking more time and increased frequency of mistakes)
9. The College does not encourage or recommend the consumption of alcohol at any time during the working day including meal breaks, except on special occasions such as staff retirement celebrations or other significant events. Non-alcoholic beverages will always be available. Alcohol must therefore not be consumed on College premises during working hours, unless the Director of College Services has given specific permission.
10. If your performance or attendance at work is affected as a result of alcohol or drugs, or the College believes you have been involved in any drug related action/offence, you may be subject to disciplinary action which may lead to your dismissal.
11. You are required to maintain a high standard of personal hygiene.
12. Any exposed cut or burn must be covered with a first-aid dressing.
13. If you are suffering from an infectious or contagious disease or illness such as rubella or hepatitis you must not report for work without clearance from your own doctor.
15. You must make yourself familiar with the College's hygiene rules, which are available from the Catering Manager, and strictly comply with their requirements. In particular:
-
You must wash your hands immediately before commencing work and after using the toilet.
-
Any cut or burn on the hand or arm must be covered with an approved dressing.
-
Head coverings and overalls/uniforms, where provided, must be worn at all times.
-
No jewellery should be worn, other than wedding rings, without the permission of your Head of Department.
-
You should not wear excessive amounts of make-up or perfume. Nail varnish should not be worn.
-
If you are suffering from an in factious or contagious disease or illness, a bowel disorder, boils, or have a skin or mouth infection you must not report for work without clearance from your own doctor.
-
Contact with any person suffering from an infectious or contagious disease must be reported and you must have clearance from your own doctor before commencing work.
EYE TESTS FOR USERS OF DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT (DSE)
16. The College is obliged by Health and Safety legislation to provide eye tests for staff members who are users of DSE. A "user" is defined by the legislation as:
"An employee who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of his normal work."
17. The College, however, generally considers a user to be someone who uses DSE reasonably regularly as part of their duties and so provides eye tests for all staff who use DSE/VDU as part of their duties.
In relation to the provision of spectacles, if the eyesight test confirms the need for corrective lenses specifically for DSE work, the College is responsible for the provision of suitable glasses for that work.
18. This cost is limited to the provision of spectacles which are of a type and quality that is adequate for its function (i.e. the provision of basic lenses and frame) and are only applicable to the middle distance required for DSE work. The College is not liable for the cost of:
-
Non DSE corrective appliances
-
Designer frames
-
Lenses with optional treatments not required for DSE work.
19. Accordingly, the College will reimburse staff the following amounts:
-
The cost of an eye test up to a maximum of £25.00
-
Where spectacles are required specifically for using DSE the cost of a basic VDU prescription and frames up to a maximum of £45.00.
TOP
