Health and Safety

Students are required to support the University in discharging that responsibility. Prominent notices are displayed on college, academic school or laboratory safety notice boards and instructions are given in academic school and/or college handbooks. Please follow the instructions given.

It is a legal requirement that risk assessments are completed for the work that you will be expected to undertake at the University. The assessments should identify the hazards that you could be exposed to and the precautions you must take to protect your health and safety.

It is the responsibility of your supervisor to ensure that these risk assessments have been completed and that you receive sufficient instruction and training. However, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with the instructions and follow the relevant safety procedures. Safety is key, so if in doubt make sure to ask. All student accidents should be reported to supervisors or another member of staff.

The University of Kent has a no smoking policy which prohibits smoking in all University buildings and within a 5m exclusion zone outside of every building unless specified in the policy. The University has adopted this policy in recognition of the need to provide a healthy working environment for staff and students. This policy is not limited to, but complies with, government guidance and legislation

Should a fire occur, smoke and toxic fumes can spread with great speed through buildings. It is vital that you:

• learn the fire emergency procedures at the start of your studies here, especially for sleeping accommodation
• look out for evacuation information which is in all University buildings on fire action notices, near to fire alarm call points
• read the notices on fire safety in your college handbook, residents’ notes and your academic school safety handbook
• leave the building straightaway when you hear the fire alarm at any time other than the weekly alarm test (you will be given information about the test time) by the nearest safe route. If it is likely that you require assistance to evacuate safely please ensure that you know the location of the closest refuge point.
• know your Assembly Point
• do not use a lift during an evacuation
• check to see that others near you, especially those who have impaired hearing or mobility or are partially sighted, have heard the alarm and are able to escape
• once outside, report any concerns you may have to the person in charge (wearing a yellow hi-vis vest) or to a University Security Officer. The internal Emergency number is 3333. This is only for an emergency situation, eg fire/serious accident/theft etc.
• never set off a fire alarm unnecessarily, nor tamper with fire-related equipment. Legal proceedings may result in a criminal conviction, a fine of up to £2500 and/or up to 51 weeks' imprisonment; disciplinary proceedings may result in permanent exclusion from the University or its residential accommodation, and/or other penalties.