'High impact' processes are those which could have detrimental effects on operations outside the immediate vicinity of the work, i.e. the rest of the building, elsewhere on campus or the University's neighbours. Examples of these detrimental effects would be explosion, fire, or a major release of hazardous substances into the air or the drains. Although some of these could arise from laboratory or workshop activities, they may also be caused, for example by maintenance or construction activities by staff or contractors.
Risk assessments for all work activities should consider the availability of assistance in the event of an emergency, for example colleagues to take actions or to provide information to the emergency services, or first aiders to help with any casualties.
For all 'high impact' processes, information on the work and emergency actions must be available at all times both within the Faculty/Directorate/Office and to key groups such as the Campus Estates & Facilities Management Office and Security.
Basic information on the process, emergency actions, emergency contact details and confirmation that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment has been completed should be notified to the Campus Estates & Facilities Management Office and Security using the University form 'Notification to Facilities Management/Campus Security of work in progress'. The notification form should be completed by the person conducting the process and countersigned by their Manager or Supervisor. A protected copy of the form should be securely displayed prominently on or near the apparatus. Copies should also be provided to the Campus Estates & Facilities Management Office and the Campus Security.
Where a high impact process has been identified by risk assessment, the work should be scheduled to be carried out during normal hours if at all possible. If working outside normal hours is unavoidable, for example the process continues for much longer than a normal working day, it is particularly important that Security and the named emergency contacts have been notified in advance of the proposed working hours.
The University H&S Policy includes codes of practice for lone working, and for unattended running of apparatus. Both of these are relevant to the safe operation of 'high impact' processes.
Original - May 2007
Last Reviewed – February 2018