The following papers have been approved at committee level and are now waiting the final approval from the Trades Union Liaison (TUL) committee.
Animals on Campus Procedure 2023
First Aid Procedure 2023 version 3
For this term, there will be the following draft policies and procedures to review before submitting them for committee and TUL approval.
These are DRAFT documents, and any comments or observations will be welcome. We have a form for your comments.
Control of Contractors Procedure (DRAFT) 2023
DRKH DRAFT Water Hygiene & Control of Legionella Bacteria Policy - 2023
As mentioned in the last safety update, the Health and Safety Team were asked to work with the Faculty of Arts Science and Technology (FAST) on a comprehensive inspection of health and safety arrangements in each of the faculty’s workshops. These inspections have now commenced, and we have completed 12 inspections with another 9 scheduled for this year. We have spent around 50 hours in the laboratories and workshops, speaking to the technical demonstrators to identify any compliance issues, and offer recommendations and suggestions on safety matters.
In October, the Health & Safety Team worked closely with Northants Fire & Rescue, the University Police team, Campus Security, Residential Life, and the Accommodation team to coordinate and deliver Student Safety Talks to over 1500 students. It was fantastic to see so many students attend the sessions with nearly 400 new signs up to the Safe Zone app.
Also in October, the students in the residential accommodation at Waterside, St Johns and Scholars Green all took part in the annual Fire Evacuations. This ensures that we remain legally compliant, but also allows the students to know what it feels like to be involved in a real evacuation. Again, the safety team were supported by Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, the University Campus Police, and 1st Degree Building Services.
Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2023 will occur on Tuesday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
Our very own member of the Health & Safety Team (Di) is known to sing in a band and recently donned fancy dress to entertain the students in the Waterside with her band Ravenrust!
Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God's providence he was catched
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holloa boys, holloa boys
God save the King!
Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!
Fireworks, sparklers, toffee apples - it can all only mean one thing. Bonfire Night is here!
But it's not just about colourful lights in the sky and wrapping up warm next to a big fire. It's a holiday that came out of a very important event in British political history.
On 5 November, people across the UK celebrate Bonfire Night with fireworks, bonfires, sparklers, and toffee apples. The reason we do it is because it's the anniversary of a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. This was called the Gunpowder Plot.
We light bonfires to remember this event, and traditionally there would be a “dummy” on the top.
This is called the 'Guy' and represents a man who was part of the plot, called Guy Fawkes.
Guy (Guido) Fawkes was part of the Gunpowder plot in 1605 and he wanted to blow up King James I and his government. This was because of religion. England was a Protestant country, and the plotters were Catholic. They wanted England to be Catholic again and thought they could force change if they killed King James I and his ministers. So, Fawkes and his group put 36 barrels of gunpowder in cellars underneath the Houses of Parliament in London, ready to set off a massive explosion.
However, one member of Fawkes' group sent a letter to his friend who worked in Parliament, warning him to stay away on 5 November. The King's supporters got hold of the letter and the plot was rumbled!
Guards broke into the cellars where the gunpowder plotters were waiting. They were arrested and later executed. And the rest is history!
Don't forget to check on Libcal to book on to Health & Safety courses. We currently have the following courses available to book: