UCL Health and Safety Objectives 2025/2026

The health and safety objectives for UCL are agreed annually by the Work Health and Safety Committee and are part of the Safety Management System.

The UCL Health and Safety Objectives for 2025/2026 are the foundational, measurable steps that ensure the successful execution of the UCL Health and Safety Strategic Plan 2024-2027+.  These objectives represent our collective commitment to establishing a confident health and safety culture and embedding continual improvement across the university.

Each objective clearly shows the specific actions we're taking to meet it, and how it links back to our Strategic Themes and Enablers.

Read the UCL Health and Safety Strategic Plan 2024 - 2027+ (UCL login required)

Objective 1: Improve training and competency

This objective focuses on ensuring that all staff are well-trained and knowledgeable about safety procedures. We're making sure everyone gets the right training so they can confidently handle their health and safety responsibilities.

• Our commitment: We are aiming for a 95% completion rate for all mandatory safety training modules across all departments. This will embed a culture of continuous learning and ensure we meet our legal and institutional obligations.

• Target completion:
• All departments must achieve this milestone by April 2026.

Objective 2: Enhance incident investigation and learning

This objective focuses on improving the incident investigation process by providing training and guidance to the Incident Co-ordinator community. By improving investigations, we make sure we learn the right lessons and drive continuous safety improvement.

• How we'll achieve this: We will launch a new training course for departmental Incident Co-ordinators (ICs) to improve the accuracy and timeliness of incident reviews. The goal is to ensure all cases are correctly allocated for review within five days.

• Target completion:
• The training course will be launched in January 2026,
• 100% attendance and successful completion by all appointed ICs by July 2026.

Objective 3: T100 Programme

This objective focuses on achieving T100 Level 1 and T100 Lite, which provides a structured approach to standardise and enhance our safety practices. Achieving 100% compliance means that we're successfully implementing our core safety management system.

• What we're doing: Safety Services will support departments to achieve 100% compliance in both T100 Level 1 and T100 Lite across all faculties. Additionally, all departments with high-hazard activities will be actively working towards T100 Level 2.

• Target completion:
• The goal for all departments is to achieve T100 Level 1 or T100 Lite by August 2026.

Objective 4: Strengthen departmental safety governance

This objective ensures that safety is a standing item on the agenda for departmental meetings, ensuring leadership accountability and consistent oversight. By embedding health and safety in senior meetings, we make sure governance actively drives continuous improvement and gives visibility to risks.

• What we're doing: We will introduce a new Self-Assurance Programme requiring all Departmental Safety Committees and Senior Management Team meetings to include a standing health and safety item in their meetings. Heads of Department will submit returns to confirm key governance requirements, including meeting minutes and the authority of the chair. A sample of these returns will be selected to evidence Terms of Reference, minutes and agenda and authority of the chair.

• Target completion: 
• The Self-Assurance Programme will be launched in November 2025.
• Returns confirming compliance are due by July 2026.