Health and Safety Regulations

University College Birmingham Statement of General Policy

Our policy is to take all reasonable and practicable steps to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all students, staff, contractors and members of the general public using or visiting University College Birmingham’s facilities.

Mobile Phones – Safety on stairs

University College Birmingham takes your safety seriously and aims to ensure that all significant risks are controlled to prevent accidents from occurring. You also have a responsibility to act in a safe manner.

Research has shown that a significant number of slips and falls are caused by people being distracted and not concentrating fully on what they are doing. It has also been found that whilst using your mobile phone you are not able to absorb enough information to judge steps or slopes correctly and therefore you are much more likely to fall.

Please refrain from using your mobile phone on staircases at all times. Staff will challenge any students found to be doing so and persistent offenders may be dealt with under the disciplinary process if appropriate.

Health, Hygiene and Safety Regulations

(The regulations summarised briefly here comply with the Food Safety (England) Regulations 2006.)

For the protection of yourself and others, all students must observe the following regulations:

Students working in food production and hair and beauty areas

Students should remove all exposed jewellery before entering any food production or hair and beauty environment within the University. Jewellery includes:

  • Earrings, studs and all visible body piercing (eyebrows, nose, tongue, lips, cheeks etc.)
  • Bangles
  • Rings – with the exception of plain gold wedding rings
  • Watches

Students are advised that they should not have any exposed body piercing undertaken unless it can be physically removed before entering a practical environment. Applying a sticking plaster over exposed body piercing jewellery is not allowed in a practical environment. Disciplinary action will be taken against any student who does not comply with this regulation at all times.

Particular requirements relating to the Handling of Food

A person engaged in the handling of food shall take all steps as may be necessary to protect the food from any risk of contamination. Students should present themselves dressed in the appropriate clean protective clothing listed below before entering a food production area within the University:

  • White chef’s jacket
  • White neck tie
  • White aprons within kitchen areas
  • Blue aprons within larder areas
  • Small blue or black checked trousers
  • White skull cap or chef’s whites
  • Non-slip safety shoes
  • Tea towel or oven cloth

It is against food safety regulations and the University regulations to wear any food production uniforms – for example, chef’s whites and food service uniforms – outside the University College Birmingham buildings.

Particular requirements relating to Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

A person engaged in the practice and delivery of hairdressing or beauty therapy services should be dressed in the appropriate overalls and shoes designated by University College Birmingham before entering hair and beauty studios. Hair should be off the face, nails should not protrude beyond the end of the fingers, and all nail varnish should be removed.

Persons Suffering from Certain Infections

As soon as a person engaged in the handling of food becomes aware that he/she is suffering from, or is the carrier of, typhoid, paratyphoid or any other salmonella infection, or amoebic or bacillary dysentery, or any staphylococcal infection likely to cause food poisoning, he/she should inform the person in charge of the food business and that person shall immediately notify the appropriate medical officer of health accordingly. Therefore, students suffering from diarrhoea and/or vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, nausea or headache or who have any septic infection or cut should notify University College Birmingham immediately, should not attend any practical lecture, and should see the University Nurse or a First Aider immediately so that the appropriate action may be taken.

Dangerous Machinery

Some machinery used regularly in kitchens and salons needs particularly careful handling, for example: mixing machines, dough mixers, vegetable cutters, epilation instruments, electrical massage treatments, etc. Anyone at University College Birmingham must, by law, be trained before they use such equipment and students under the age of 18 are not allowed to do the hazardous job of cleaning such items of equipment.

Follow these guidelines at all times:

  • Do not use equipment unless full training has been given and is fully understood.
  • If in doubt – ASK.
  • Read the instructions before using the machine.
  • Where safety guards are provided, these should always be used.
  • Beware of sharp blades. These can be dangerous even when they are not moving.
  • Hair should always be covered and kept away from machinery.
  • Clothing should be kept out of reach.
  • Do not use equipment that you suspect is faulty. Report it immediately and do not attempt to operate it until approval has been given to do so.

In the Event of a Fire

If you hear the fire alarm:

Every classroom has a notice informing you of what to do in the event of a fire. You must leave the building as quietly and calmly as possible as soon as the fire alarm rings.

DO NOT use mobile phones during evacuation of the building as this can cause accidents.  You should proceed quickly to the meeting point for your course and wait until a register has been taken and you are authorised to re-enter the building. Even if the fire alarm stops ringing on your way out the building, you must continue to fully vacate the building. You must not turn back.

If you discover a fire:

  • Sound the nearest fire alarm.
  • If it is not possible to sound the alarm, report the fire to a member of staff.
  • Do not attempt to extinguish the fire.
  • If it is safe to do so, as you leave, turn off all gas and electrical appliances and close all doors and windows.
  • Leave the building by the nearest route (fire escape routes are signed).
  • Do NOT use mobile phones while evacuating the building.
  • Go to your designated assembly point.
  • Do NOT stop to collect personal belongings.
  • Do NOT re-enter the building until official authorisation to do so has been given.
  • Do NOT use the lifts.
  • ‘Muster points’ for students requiring assistance to evacuate the building are opposite the lift on each landing.

Assembly Points

Summer Row Campus:

All Higher Education courses: opposite the BT Tower in Newhall Street

The Link:

Either alongside McIntyre House on Holland Street or opposite Opheem on Summer Row.

Richmond House Campus:

Care section: Great Charles Street

Hair, Beauty and Fitness section: rear courtyard

Tourism, Leisure and other occupants: The corner of Lionel Street and Newhall Street

McIntyre House Campus:

The corner of George Street and Holland Street.

Moss House Campus:

The corner of Holland Street and Charlotte Street.

Smoking Policy

In order to create a cleaner and healthier environment which can be enjoyed by everybody, University College Birmingham operates a non-smoking policy and smoking is not allowed anywhere on University College Birmingham premises. This includes electronic cigarettes.

In taking positive action to encourage a healthier, cleaner environment, University College Birmingham recognises that on occasion it may be necessary to take disciplinary action against students who contravene University College Birmingham approved smoking policy.

In addition, University College Birmingham will take steps to provide information for smokers who wish to stop smoking or adjust to this policy. This is achieved by displaying literature in prominent places and, when necessary, by counselling individuals.

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