Unit Audits & Safety Reviews

Unit Internal Safety Audits and Safety Reviews 

Unit Heads must ensure that their safety arrangements are reviewed at least annually by the following means:

1. Carryout periodic checks of areas using the Office and Laboratory audit checklists in the University of Galway Safety Statement  Appendices.    
2. At least annually review the Unit Safety Statement Policy and Risk Assessments to ensure that they are valid.

Unit External Safety Audits

Since 2011 the NUI Galway Health and Safety Office has arranged for external safety auditors to audit Units on a prioritised basis.   

The specific objectives of these Unit Safety Audits are to:

1. To review each Unit's overall compliance with occupational safety requirements (law and best practice).
2. To identify any gaps/priority improvements that are needed in the Unit's management of safety.   
3. To identify any other measures needed to improve the safety culture and engagement of the Unit staff and students.  

The Units audited to date have found it very useful in prioritizing and implementing key safety management measures.  

Units can also arrange their own external audits where specialist advice or assessment is required at their own cost.