Health and Safety

Health and Safety

Organisations are required by law to have their own Health and Safety Management systems in place. You can find out more about your responsibilities at  Health and safety management systems - HSE .

Please inform the Open University of and Accidents/Incidents/Near misses involving property defects.  This will be entered onto our reporting system for investigation and remedial action.

Fire Risk Assessment

There is a joint responsibility between The OU and tenants with respect to Fire Risk Assessments. The OU will continue to carry out an annual property based fire risk assessment, which we will share with tenants. Tenants have a responsibility to complete their own Fire Risk Assessments and share them with the OU Health and Safety team at [email protected] .  Further guidance on carrying out your local fire risk assessment can be found  at  Fire safety in the workplace: Fire risk assessments - GOV.UK.

As part of our Fire Safety Management System the OU will continue to co-ordinate biannual fire drills. We will co-ordinate these with a tenant representative and provide feedback. As part of the drill Health and Safety will carry out some spot checks to ensure active fire protection systems are acting as they should.

To ensure full compliance with the Open University’s property fire risk assessment requirements, please adhere to the following:

1. Portable Electrical Equipment

• All portable electrical equipment brought into the building must be in good condition and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• A Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) regime is a recognised method of demonstrating that equipment is safe and properly maintained.

2. Portable Heaters

• Only oil‑filled portable heaters are permitted on site.
• Fan heaters, convector heaters, and any other non–oil‑filled heaters are strictly prohibited due to their increased fire risk.
• Portable heaters must:
  • Be plugged directly into fixed wall sockets (not desk‑top or extension sockets).
  • If more than one portable heater is required in the same area, this must be reported to the Estates Liaison Line so that the electrical load on the circuit can be assessed and confirmed as safe by a competent electrician.
  • Be used in areas with free air circulation and must not be placed under desks or in enclosed spaces.
• As building temperatures are maintained between 19–21°C, the need for portable heaters should be minimal.

3. Electrical Kitchen Equipment

• All personal or portable electrical kitchen appliances must be used and stored only within designated kitchen areas.
• Electrical appliances must not be stored or operated under desks or in office workspaces.

Fire Alarm:

In case of fire we ask that you leave the building by the nearest exit point, do not stop to collect any personal belongings and go to your designated fire assembly point, supported by your own fire marshall/warden designated teams.  You will be responsible for ensuring your colleagues have evacuated the building.  If you wish to confirm your designated fire assembly point please see the Fire Assembly Point Map on the maps page

Defibrillators:

 We have 14 defibrillators placed in main building entrances across site.  There are external units available in public areas at the Pavilion and Hub. A map of locations is available on the maps page.   Please inform Estates Liaison Line if you use a defibrillator.