Chapter 3.7 - Specialist safety roles

On this page

• Biological Safety Advisor
• Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser
• Fire Safety Manager
• Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) 
• Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA)
• Radiation Protection Officer (RPO)
• Laser Protection Officer (LPO)

The Director of Safety Services, on authority from the Health and Safety Committee, is responsible for ensuring the appointment of the following specialist safety roles.

Biological Safety Advisor

Responsible for:

• Providing advice on compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations in respect of work with biological agents
• Providing advice on compliance with the Genetic Modification (Contained Use) Regulations
• Act as Biological Safety Officer with respect to genetic modification work throughout UCL and in particular to co-ordinate:
  • The drawing up of Local Rules in all departments involved in genetic modification work
  • The investigation of incidents and the keeping of appropriate records
  • The safe storage of genetic modification material in departments
  • Local inspections of genetic modification facilities throughout UCL
  • Advice given to departments on the safe storage, transport and disposal of genetically modified organisms, disinfection procedures, the testing, where necessary, for genetically modified organisms outside containment facilities and the physical security of laboratories
  • Advice and technical support to the Genetic Modification Safety Committee on risk assessment and classification
  • Ensuring all statutory notifications are made to the Health and Safety Executive and that records are maintained as appropriate

Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser

Responsible for:

• Advising UCL on the transport of dangerous goods and monitoring UCL’s practices and procedures for the transport of dangerous goods
• Ensuring an annual report is prepared on UCL’s activities in respect of the transport of dangerous goods
• Investigating serious accidents/incidents involving dangerous goods
• Monitoring UCL’s security plan for dangerous goods

Fire Safety Manager

Responsible for:

• Advising members of the University on all matters of fire safety, ensuring suitable arrangements are identified to meet the requirements of current fire legislation
• Liaising with members of Estates Division and external contractors in all fire precaution matters affecting new buildings, extensions and alterations to existing buildings
• Maintaining the Fire Safety Manual (fire risk assessment, fire strategy, building information and evacuation plans)
• Preparing, organising and carrying out fire safety training and fire drills
• Investigating incidents involving fire-related matters and preparing management reports
• Auditing fire safety provisions in all University buildings and advising on any remedial action
• Liaising with the Fire and Rescue Service and the University’s insurers

Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA)

• UCL must consult with a suitable Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) for advice on complying with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR).
• The RPA will advise the University on all aspects of the safe use of ionising radiations.
• The scope of advice to be provided by the RPA is detailed in Roles and Responsibilities: Radiation Protection Adviser.
• UCL has an appointed RPA role in Safety Services who will also oversee the discharge of duties of a Radiation Protection Officer (RPO).
• The Director of the Safety Services will appoint in writing, on behalf of UCL, suitable RPA(s) to act as the qualified expert as required to ensure compliance with IRR.
• The appointed RPA(s) will demonstrate their suitability before appointment by providing a certificate of competence (e.g. RPA2000) and a summary of their relevant experience to the Director of Safety Services.
• The appointed RPA(s) will be expected to undertake suitable CPD activities to maintain their competence.

Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA)

• UCL holds a number of Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) permits for the purpose of acquiring, storing and using radioactive material, and for accumulating and disposing of radioactive waste from its various sites and buildings, within permitted boundaries. It is a condition of these permits that the University will appoint a suitable Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA) for the purpose of advising on compliance with permits.
• The scope of the advice the RWA will provide is detailed in Roles and Responsibilities: Radioactive Waste Adviser.
• The Director of Safety Services will appoint in writing, on behalf of UCL, suitable RWA(s) to act as the qualified expert as required to ensure compliance with permit conditions.
• The appointed RWA(s) will demonstrate their suitability before appointment by providing a certificate of competence (e.g. RPA2000) and a summary of their relevant experience to the Director of Safety Services.
• The appointed RWA(s) will be expected to undertake suitable CPD activities to maintain their competence.

Radiation Protection Officer (RPO)

• Radiation Protection Officers (RPO) are appointed to oversee all aspects of the use of ionising radiations at UCL. They are responsible for ensuring that, as a minimum standard, UCL meets the requirements of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR); the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 (as amended 2018) (EPR); the High-Activity Sealed Radioactive Sources and Orphan Sources Regulations 2005; the Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and any other regulations relevant to ionising radiations.
• The full responsibilities of the Radiation Protection Officer are detailed in Roles and Responsibilities: Radiation Protection Officer.
• The RPO will be expected to undertake suitable CPD activities.
• The RPO is assisted by the Facilities Manager (Waste) with parts of compliance with EPR permits with regards to the management and disposal of radioactive waste.
• The full responsibilities of the Facilities Manager (Waste) with regards to the management and disposal of radioactive waste are detailed in Roles and Responsibilities: Facilities Manager (Waste).

Laser Protection Officer (LPO)

Responsible for:

• Ensuring the continuing safe use of AOR equipment
• Monitoring compliance for ensuring safe AOR use
• Creation and maintenance of a list of identified AOR equipment
• Acting as a point of contact for seeking appropriate advice from a certified external LPA
• Ensuring regular liaison is maintained between the DSOs, LSOs and the LPO
• Address any non-compliances raised by the LSOs etc and escalate significant issues to the UCL Health & Safety Committee
• Liaise with enforcing authorities