STANDARD 7. HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

The ADUC is committed to providing the best Health and Safety environment to its employees, students, contractors, and all those who interact and intersect with the activities of the ADUC. The provision of a safe working environment is an integral part of the agenda of the ADUC. ADUC recognizes that it has a legal duty to provide a safe and healthy working environment within the area of its operations. ADUC is therefore committed to a continuous improvement of the working environment through effective administration, education, training, supervision, and infrastructural support. 

Within the ADUC, the President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans, and the head of the health and safety communicate to promote this policy and seek continuous improvement in occupational, health, safety & environmental protection (OHSE). All faculty members, other employees, and students within ADUC are to demonstrate their commitment towards safety. They are to be equipped with the knowledge, competence, confidence, and capacity to deal effectively with OHSE issues supporting the ADUC’s wider aims and objectives. All people within the operational area of ADUC must comply with the health and safety regulations per the following Key Points and Objectives: 

1. A positive health & safety culture where all members of the ADUC are made aware of their responsibilities. 
2. Compliance with local as well as applicable international standards in OHSE management.
3. In all areas, hazard identification procedures, application of controls, and risk minimization are in place. 
4. The ADUC works in partnership with contractors on OHSE issues, where activities within the operational area of the ADUC are shared. 
5. The President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and ADUC working group on safety monitors and reviews each school’s health & safety performance and asks for necessary resources from ADUC higher management to meet the health & safety obligations. 

 

While ADUC defines and keeps under review the organization it needs to implement or maintain the OHSE infrastructure mandated by ADUC OHSE policy, the individual departments are responsible for managing HSE activities in their areas of jurisdiction. It is the responsibility of the OHSE committee to provide advice and support in all OHSE related matters. The President of the ADUC will review OHSE operations within the ADUC annually and initiate additional reviews whenever circumstances require it.

 

Organization and responsibilities

ADUC abides by the legal framework set by the government of the United Arab Emirates such as described in the Labor Law [Federal Law No. (8) of 1980 as amended], the Ministerial Decision No. (32) of 1982 concerning preventive methods to protect employees, the Ministerial Decision No. (4/1) of 1981 concerning hazardous works, and the Ministerial Decision No. (27/1) of 1981 concerning remote areas and locations.

 

ADUC shares the responsibility of: 

Allocating adequate financial and personnel support for implementing the Health and Safety Policy and keeping a safe environment on all premises. 

 

ADUC is responsible for: 

1. Designating persons in charge of implementing and maintaining a safe environment at various levels and locations within the operational area of the ADUC 
2. Monitoring the Safety Policy and the efforts to keep the ADUC a safe working environment 
3. Reviewing the Health and Safety Policy and procedures of the ADUC and the implementation of any mandated changes

 

Late working hours 

Heads of departments and the President/ Vice President for Academic Affairs will decide upon allowing access to parts of the facilities under the management of the ADUC; this includes access outside of the normal working hours. Staff arriving at the campus outside normal working hours will be registered at the points of entry to the campus. Students will be permitted to remain on-campus but can access work-related areas (laboratories, workshops, classrooms) on campus only with special permission. Security staff, department heads, and the ADUC safety officer have the authority to ask the identity of persons found in the buildings after-hours and check the information against their registration logbook. 

 

Disabled Persons 

Disabled persons who require special infrastructure due to health and safety matters should contact the OHS Committee Head. Necessary infrastructure would then be implemented, where possible. ADUC ascertains that quick routes of access from the building are available for disabled persons. 

 

Visitors 

Visitors are to be registered at the gate of entry. Children will be allowed on the campus during official school visits. School visits must be planned ahead of time, where the head of the department has granted permission to an official request by the respective school. Children accompanying their parents are allowed into ADUC’s operational areas only in exceptional cases. They should not enter workshop or laboratory areas. Exceptions will be made on open days, official school visits, and other officially sanctioned work-experience exercises. At all times, there is to be close supervision of the children by ADUC staff. All visitors must follow the ADUC’s rules and regulations regarding “health and safety”. Pets are not allowed. 

 

Contractors

Every outside contractor performing work within the operational area of the ADUC must accept the full responsibility for complying with the provisions of the ADUC’s rules and Regulations regarding “health and safety” in addition to all other relevant statutory provisions in respect of the work comprising the contract. The OHS Committee may advise the contractor of any working method that poses a danger to campus safety and will require the contractor to remedy any such dangerous situation without delay. 

 

Hazardous Materials 

Staff members and graduate students working with hazardous materials should ascertain that material safety data sheets are available for all compounds in their handling. This includes all materials stored under their management. Written instructions to undergraduate students in their practical work must draw attention to the risks associated with using hazardous substances. Accurate book-keeping of all materials must be maintained. The departments keep electronic records of all chemicals in their respective laboratories. 

The major laboratory areas of the ADUC are in Level 2. It is understood that maximal placement of hazardous materials in the laboratories Level 2 is governed by the provisions outlined in the Hazardous Material Management Policy of ADUC. 

 

Radiation Protection 

The ADUC works with limited amounts of ionizing radiation. It keeps detailed accounts of radioactive materials. Persons working with ionizing materials have been trained in UAE accredited workshops. 

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) must be informed of any acquisition, sale, or move, even within the campus, of nuclear materials (thorium, uranium, and plutonium). All radioactive materials are to be registered. The ADUC, through its physics department, is in contact with FANR regarding these matters. 

 

Smoke-Free 

ADUC, as an educational institute and as an employer, has the legal obligations to comply with the Ministry of Health and prevention for Tobacco control program and the World Tobacco Act. 

In terms of the Act, smoking in any public place, including educational institutes, is strictly prohibited. 

ADUC ensures a smoke-free environment for its students, employees, and people who enter ADUC campuses or use ADUC vehicles.

ADUC expects all students, faculty, and staff to respect and comply with this policy, and for those who disregard this policy, disciplinary actions will be taken against them.

 

Laboratories 

It is understood that all laboratories are furnished with the requisite safety equipment as there are fire detection and adequate fire-fighting equipment. Students must wear personal protective equipment. It is understood that all hazardous chemicals are stored in cabinets specifically designed for chemicals, which can be locked. It is understood that for all chemicals in a laboratory, there is an electronic inventory. Specific hazards are made clear by adequate signage. Emergency exit signage is to be visible for all persons within the operational area of the campus. 

 

Safety training 

ADUC conducts safety workshops to students at least once a year. The workshops shall be provided by the safety officer, in addition to assistance from external expert. Safety session shall be given to students, using laboratories, during the first period of their lab course, where hazardous materials or equipment are utilized. Students’ will sign a written acknowledgment that they have understood all related safety issues pertaining to the course. 

Furthermore, in conjunction with the operational contractor, fire and building evacuation exercises will be held at least once a year to further emphasize safety. 

 

Queries regarding “Health and Safety” 

For queries, staff and students should consult their immediate supervisor. Otherwise, the departmental safety officer, the head of ADUC’s OHS, will be ready to answer questions regarding “health and safety” in that order. Safety protocols are available on-line. 

 

Reporting of Accidents and Incidents 

All accidents and dangerous incidents will be logged electronically through the operational contactor into the ADUC’s accident report log as soon as possible and will be reported in person to the ADUC safety officer within 24 hours. In case of serious accidents and incidents, the school’s dean and the ADUC senior administration should be informed as soon as possible. 

 

Monitoring of health and safety policies and regulations 

The ADUC OHS committee will regularly inspect all areas of the operations pertaining to ADUC to ascertain that all governing rules of health and safety are followed throughout the parts under the ADUC’s management. A record of inspection and remedial action is kept with the head of the ADUC OHS committee. Health and Safety Manual with all health and safety policies and procedures are published and disseminated across the ADUC.