Health and Safety Alerts

Summaries of Health and Safety Alerts highlighting topics and issues of particular concern

Health and Safety Alerts are issued when a particular issue needs to be communicated urgently. These are emailed to inf-people@inf.ed.ac.uk and will be posted here shortly after. If you have any questions about any of the issues raised, please email infhs@inf.ed.ac.uk

17th March 2023: Using drones for work or research purposes

Using drones is becoming more common throughout Informatics and the University. There are many reasons why we might use them in the School, but it is essential that we do so safely and in a way that complies with legislation.

Hazards associated with drones include (but not limited to):

Collision with people/property
Injury caused by propellers
Potential hearing damage

IF YOU USE DRONES INDOORS: You must have an up to date risk assessment for the activity, that considers all of the hazards associated with the flight and the drone itself (that will also mean managing any batteries used in line with the recent Fire Safety Unit guidance). Anyone involved in that activity must read and sign the assessment, and the PI associated with the project should be aware of it.

IF YOU USE DRONES OUTDOORS: As well as having a risk assessment as above, you are also subject to regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). In UoE, the Airborne Research and Innovation (ARI) facility oversee use of drones and can provide help and advice to ensure you are meeting regulatory requirements. It is essential that you register with them and follow the arrangements in place.

15th March 2023: Management of large/lithium type batteries

The Fire Safety Unit (FSU) have issued guidance on the safe use of batteries in the workplace, from the point of procurement through to disposal. Batteries are so ubiquitous in our lives, but they are inherently flammable as they are very sensitive to high temperatures. It is therefore essential for all staff and students to read this and ensure you are following the arrangements it describes.

Read the guidance note here: http://www.docs.csg.ed.ac.uk/Safety/fire/guidance/FSUGuidanceManagementOfLargeOrLithiumBatteriesV1.0Final.pdf

This article was published on 17 Mar, 2023