Consultative Health and Safety Committee

Terms of Reference and Constitution

Governance reporting line: University Health and Safety Committee

Document owner: Governance Officer

1. Purpose 

To provide an opportunity to discuss general matters of health and safety with those representing the workforce in order to drive a positive Health & Safety culture.

2. Responsibilities and activity 

  • To consider and comment on existing and emerging trends, changes to policy and operational concerns raised by Union Safety Representatives or other members of staff or students.
  • To obtain feedback and relay comments about health and safety matters.   
  • To meet a minimum of three times a year with minutes and recommendations of those meetings reported to the University Executive Board.  
  • Ensure the body is fit for purpose by performing an effectiveness review every three years. 
  • Identify any financial authority attributed to the body. 
  • This Group discharges the legal obligation for consultation required by the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977. 

3. Reporting arrangements 

To report to the Vice-Chancellor via the University Executive Board.

4. Constitution 

  • Chair: Vice-President (Operations) 
    (Member and representative of the University Executive) 
  • Vice-Chair
  • A senior academic (i.e. a Dean) 
  • 6 x Union Safety representatives:
    • Two representatives of UCU
    • Two representatives of UNISON  
    • Two representatives of UNITE  
  • Director Health & Safety
  • Executive Director of Estates and Facilities or senior nominee
  • Executive Director of Human Resources or senior nominee

See Annex 1 for current membership  

5. Quorum and frequency 

5.1 Quorum 

Quoracy is a minimum attendance of 1/3 of the membership plus 1 person, plus any defined roles [roles are optional] to be able to take decisions where appropriate. 

5.2 Frequency of meetings 

To meet a minimum of three times per academic year.  

6. Resources  

Secretariat support provided by Governance Services.

7. Terms of Reference review

Date of last review: 25 September 2023

Date of next review: September 2024

Annex 1: Membership 2023-2024

  • Chair: Vice-President (Operations) Wendy Appleby
    (Member and representative of the University Executive)
  • Vice-Chair: Kieron Broadhead
  • Senior academic representative: 
  • 6 x Union Safety representatives:
    • Two representatives of UCU: Thom Bostock and Mark Picket
    • Two representatives of UNISON: Charlotte Sunley and Hannah Cox
    • Two representatives of UNITE: Neil Fagan and Naomi Gravett
  • Director of Health & Safety (ex-officio): Peter Adams
  • Executive Director of Estates and Facilities or senior nominee: Mark Errington
  • Director of Human Resources or senior nominee: Luke Kelly