1. Statement and Purpose
BIG International College (UK) (“the College”) is required under theHealth and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to produce a policy outlining its commitment to safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of all employees, learners, visitors, contractors, and others affected by College activities—whether on College premises or when undertaking College-related work off-site.
The College is committed to:
- Achieving the highest possible standard of health and safety management, rather than relying on minimum legal compliance.
- Ensuring managers at all levels promote and maintain an excellent safety culture.
- Implementing a health and safety management system aligned with latest HSE guidance, British Standards (where appropriate), and UK regulatory requirements.
- Demonstrating compliance with the Office for Students (OfS) regulatory requirements, specifically regarding safe learning environments and student protection.
This Policy includes:
- An overarching Health & Safety Policy Statement
- Roles and Responsibilities of all individuals within the College
- Arrangements for implementing health and safety
This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if there are significant changes in legislation, College operations, risk profile, governance, or OfS regulatory requirements.
2. Scope
This Policy applies to:
- All College employees
- Governors and members of the Board
- Contractors, consultants, agency workers, and volunteers
- All enrolled learners and any individuals undertaking activities on behalf of the College
- Visitors to College premises
This includes all satellite locations, partner sites, and activities conducted offsite such as study visits or work placements.
3. Policy Statement
The College is committed, as far as reasonably practicable, to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of:
- Employees
- Learners
- Contractors and visiting professionals
- Members of the public who may be affected by College operations
The College commits to:
- Providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment
- Maintaining safe equipment, safe systems of work, and appropriate supervision
- Ensuring staff receive meaningful information, training, instructions, and guidance
- Regularly reviewing compliance in line with UK health and safety law and OfS requirements
- Ensuring competence of contractors before engagement
- Monitoring the health and safety performance of external contractors
- Providing equitable safety standards for temporary and contract workers
- Consulting employees and student representatives on significant health and safety matters
- Undertaking risk assessment and control measures in all operations
This policy is reviewed annually by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT)and approved by the Board of Governors.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
4.1 Accountable Officer
The Principal/CEO is the College’s Accountable Officer and holds overall executive accountability for health and safety.
They delegate day-to-day management to the Health & Safety Officerand relevant members of the Senior Leadership Team.
4.2 Senior Leadership / Management Team (SLT/SMT)
Members include:
- Principal/CEO
- Deputy Principal
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Health & Safety Officer
Responsibilities include:
- Ensuring effective systems exist for managing and monitoring health & safety
- Reviewing standards and ensuring compliance with UK law and OfS requirements
- Ensuring all College decisions consider implications for health & safety
- Reporting health & safety performance annually to the Board of Governors
4.3 Health & Safety Team / Committee
The Health & Safety Committee consists of:
- Health & Safety Officer (Chair)
- Facilities Manager
- Academic Representative
- Student Services Representative
- Union/Student Voice Representative (if applicable)
Responsibilities include:
- Identifying College-wide safety issues
- Developing and implementing health & safety strategies
- Monitoring standards and reporting concerns to SLT
- Reviewing significant incidents, trends, and audit findings
- Advising on legislative changes, best practice, and implementation
- Promoting a strong, positive safety culture
- Coordinating communication with enforcing authorities (HSE, Fire Services)
4.4 Staff Responsibilities
All staff must:
- Apply the Health & Safety Policy within their work areas
- Maintain safe working procedures
- Ensure safe storage, handling, and movement of substances and equipment
- Report hazards, defects, accidents, near misses, and unsafe practices
- Not misuse or interfere with safety equipment
- Ensure adequate information, instruction, and supervision for learners
- Complete required health & safety training
A wilful breach of the Policy may result in disciplinary action.
4.5 Learner / Student Responsibilities
Learners must:
- Take reasonable care for their own health and safety
- Comply with all safety rules and instructions
- Wear appropriate clothing and PPE where instructed
- Not misuse or interfere with equipment provided for safety
- Report hazards or incidents to a staff member
Wilful breaches may result in disciplinary procedures under the Student Code of Conduct.
5. Arrangements for Health & Safety
The following arrangements apply across the College:
5.1 Standards & Guidance
- Mandatory health & safety standards are issued to all relevant staff.
- Where internal standards do not address specific issues, HSE guidance or British Standards are applied.
5.2 Risk Assessment
The College maintains comprehensive arrangements for conducting risk assessments under the:
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- COSHH Regulations 2002
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
Risk assessments are performed by trained staff. Specialist support is used for complex or high-risk activities.
5.3 Accidents, Dangerous Occurrences & Ill Health Reporting
All accidents, incidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be:
- Reported immediately to the line manager
- Logged in accordance with the College’s Incident Reporting Policy
- Investigated by the Health & Safety Officer (or nominee)
The Health & Safety Officer will:
- Submit RIDDOR reports where required
- Maintain statutory accident records
- Provide updates to SLT and the Board of Governors
5.4 Communication & Training
- All new staff receive induction covering H&S, fire safety, and welfare
- Additional topic-specific training is provided based on job role
- Annual refresher training is provided where needed
- Safety information is communicated through the VLE, noticeboards, and briefings
5.5 Fire Safety
The College ensures:
- Fire risk assessments are completed and updated
- Clear evacuation procedures
- Sufficient trained fire marshals
- Regular fire drills
- Testing and maintenance of fire alarms and detection systems
Fire safety standards comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
5.6 Monitoring and Review
Health & Safety performance is monitored through:
- Routine internal inspections
- Annual internal and external audits
- Review of incidents and near misses
- Annual performance review by SLT and the Board of Governors
Changes in legislation, OfS expectations, or operations trigger earlier review.
