Safety Statement and Unit Safety Statements

What is a Safety Statement?

A Safety Statement is a plan, in writing, which specifically identifies the hazards, assesses the risks, identifies the controls to be put in place, the persons responsible and resources necessary to secure the safety of persons at work.  It is required by Section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

Does the University have a Safety Statement?

The University has prepared a comprehensive University of Galway Safety Statement, which addresses the major safety management, consultation and operational issues that apply to NUI Galway. 

The University of Galway Safety Statement is annually reviewed and is available as a searchable pdf for all staff to consult and use.  

Do Units have Safety Statements?

Each University Head of Unit must prepare and annually update a Unit Safety Statement which includes all their updated risk assessments. A template was originally developed for Units to use and update annually.  Each year, the Head of Unit provides a revised copy of their Unit’s Safety Statement Policy to the Health and Safety Office, on behalf of Údarás na hOllscoile as evidence of their safety co-operation and compliance.  

It is also important that:

• The Declaration of the Unit Safety Statement is signed by the Head.
• This is a template for the Unit Safety Statement.  Unit Safety Statements are comleted using the Unit Safety Statement Policy PowerApp.
• The completed Unit Safety Statement (Policy and Risk Assessments) for your Unit must be centrally available to Unit staff e.g. on the Unit’s "shared folder" for local use, reference and updating.
• The Head of Unit manages the key safety actions including the Units listed SS Key Safety Information Key Safety Indicators – Standard Units.