HSE Manual for the Department of Clinical Science

Aim and scope

The overall objective of the systematic Health, Environment and Safety (HSE) work at Department of Clinical Science is to facilitate: (i) a good and safe work environment by preventing accidents, environmental and health injuries; (ii) quality in work and research; and iii) better results. This is done through the proper physical conditions, high competence and an including working environment.

The purpose of systematic HSE work is to ensure an adequate level of quality in activities that involve health, safety and the environment. In order to comply with applicable laws, regulations and own guidelines and decisions, it is necessary to have systems and a work culture that facilitates improvement. Improvement is done by detecting and correcting deviations. The health and safety of patients, volunteers and guests must also be safeguarded.
 

Objective of health, safety and environment

The main objectives of the action plan at the University of Bergen are:

• Good working community

• Good risk management and emergency response

• Safe and functional workplaces

• Responsibility for the external environment
 

Usage and distribution

The HSE Manual shall be distributed and known to all persons at the Department of Clinical Science. The manual applies to students, guests and substitutes, in addition to the temporary and permanent employees.

K2-news contains a lot of useful information about HSE, and all employees are required to read this newsletter. 

The HSE Handbook, HSE Instructions and K2 New are available on K2's website. The K2-news will also be sent out on e-mail every Friday.

Updating the HSE Manual

The HSE coordinator is responsible for keeping the HSE Handbook, including its procedures, updated. The manual will be revised annually. Single operating procedures and other documents are updated as needed. All employees are responsible for reporting errors and lack of information, as well as suggesting improvements.

Background documents.

The manual lists UiB's internal rules and instructions, which are documented at the HSE Safety Portal:

https://www.UiB.no/en/hms-portalen

Information about K2

The departments is responsible for conducting medical research, dissemination, innovation and education at a high international level, in order to achieve the faculty's vision "New Knowledge for Better Health." The department has important tasks both in medical education, master degrees and Phd education in medicine and pharmaceuticals.

Organization of the HSE-work at the department

Head of Department: Silke Appel

Head of Administration: Maria Holmaas

HSE Coordinator: Siv Lise Bedringaas

Adresses:

K2 is located at the following adresses:

https://www.uib.no/en/clin2/66451/here-you-will-find-us

Responsibity and management

The management at the department is responsible for deciding the guidelines and objectives for systematic HSE work, which are in line with UiB's overall objectives. The head of department is responsible for ensuring that applicable laws and regulations are followed by the department. The head of department has outsourced some of the HSE-work to the head of administration.

The line manager has within her or his area of ​​responsibility:

• Responsibility for the policy to be implemented and followed up.
•  Responsibility for the systematic HSE work being planned, organized, implemented and documented in accordance with internal rules and regulatory requirements.

The head of department is responsible for:

• ensuring that employees, students and guests have sufficient HSE competence to perform activities in a safe and secure manner
• ensuring that HSE mapping and risk assessment are implemented and followed up following up messages on HSE deviations ensuring that necessary health information is communicated to users cooperating with safety representatives on the same level
• The Head of Department has delegated some of the HSE-work, including staff responsibility, to the research group leaders at the department. It is the responsibility of the group leader to ensure that the HSE system in her or his group is maintained and enforced.

The research group leader is responsible for:

• conducting research in accordance with the regulations, ethical guidelines, and the HSE requirements currently applicable at UiB
• making sure that any UiB technician connected to the research groups is used as optimally as possible
• Following up her or his own employees and attend delegated staff responsibilities, including annual employee appraisal talks
• ensuring that the members of the research group contribute in the department's teaching and research education

It is each and every employee or users duty to ensure relevant procedures and guidelines are known. Each employee is responsible for:

• familiarizing yourself with the department’s and the laboratory's safety practices
•  following local procedures
• working for systematic HSE work through continuous improvement of relevant procedures
• Being including, motivating and responsible employee
•  taking part in the systematic HSE work.

The Internal Control Regulations provide requirements for businesses regarding systematic health, environment and safety work. Here you will find information about current legislation, and internal regulations at UiB.

Section 5 sets the following requirements:

The current requirements in the following laws and regulations are subject to systematic follow-up:

Laws and regulations

The Norwegian laws and regulations are in Norwegian. A collection of Norwegian regulations in English are available at the following link. Please note that the translations are not official; they are provided for information purposes only. In the event of any inconsistency, the Norwegian version shall prevail.

https://lovdata.no/register/loverEngelsk

Internal guidelines at UiB

Internal guidelines at UiB

The training should be related to the employee's role in the organization or type of task to be performed. The list is indicative. Some courses are available as an e-learning course. A list of these courses can be found here:

https://www.uib.no/en/hms-portalen/74110/courses-hse

UiB shall annually and at every level: 

• Conduct HSE mapping, such as HSE meeting and safety rounds, risk assessments, take action and assess whether measures have achieved the desired effect.
• Develop and revise HSE goals and action plan.
• Review the elements of the systematic HSE work and report in the line (internal control).

More information on systematic HSE work at UiB can be found in the HSE portal on UiB's web pages:

HSE Round

Risk assessment

UiB has its own deviation system, which is to be used where applicable.

HSE Deviation (person and system) must be reported via the HSE portal.

Material damage and building conditions must be reported via Lydia:

For more information about Lydia, please see this webpage:

Please note that messages via Lydia only applies to the UiB buildings. Lydia can currently not used for damage to premises that UiB leases by Helse Bergen. This applies to Laboratory Building, BUS, Central Block and KK. Deviations on these buildings are reported directly to Helse Bergen:

77100@helse-bergen.no with a copy to the property department at UiB post@eia.UiB.no.