New staff members will be given health and safety orientations in their building so they may become acquainted with the emergency escape route. Line managers are to schedule this with the H&S officer/DSC. New staffs are to familiarise themselves with the various fire actions fitted to assist occupants in the building. Further information can be viewed via Information for Managers (templates & checklist).
New staff members are required to complete the necessary safety training as directed by their supervisors. All staff must complete the "Keeping Healthy, Safe, and Well at the University of Liverpool" module. Additionally, staff at Grade 6 and above are required to complete the "Managing Safety at the University of Liverpool" module, in addition to the all-staff training. Additional information can be found in Obligatory Training .
Understanding and participating in risk assessment processes is crucial to maintaining a safe environment for both staffs and visitors. A risk assessment is a process used to identify potential hazards, evaluate their risks, and implement measures to mitigate them.
Key Areas of Focus:
Physical Hazards:
Ergonomic Concerns:
Security and Emergency Situations:
Your Role:
Stay vigilant, follow safety procedures, and report any potential hazards to your supervisor. Your feedback is essential in maintaining a safe environment for everyone.
For more details, refer to the LMG Hazard Inventory or speak with your line managers, Health and Safety Officer, and Departmental Safety Coordinators.
By actively participating in these processes, you contribute to a safer library for all.
Raising the Alarm
Fire alarm call points are strategically located throughout the building and should be used if you discover a fire and need to alert others. Each call point features a transparent "break glass - press here" panel.
To activate the alarm, simply push the panel, which will break and trigger the alarm system. Familiarize yourself with the locations of these call points and how to use them.
What to do if the alarm sounds
Disabled Persons Evacuation Note: If you need assistance to evacuate the building, please proceed to a refuge area. The refuge areas are listed and identified in the General Emergency Evacuation Plan (GEEP) drawing and narration. If Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is required, please speak to your line manager. Use the Emergency Voice Communication System (EVCS) to call for assistance. If there is no response from the Evac Chair Team then call 0151 794 2222 for emergency assistance.
GET OUT – STAY OUT!
REMEMBER – you are expected to get out within 2.5 minutes. You should be able to stop what you are doing, make it safe and then leave within this time.
Assembly Points
Purpose:
The purpose of General Emergency Evacuation Plans (GEEP) is to identify the arrangements and resources in campus buildings, while setting out a general escape plan which is of use to all occupants and which is of use in the development of a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP), where one is needed. If this GEEP does not provide sufficient information or you require further assistance then you may need a PEEP, please contact Disability Advice and Guidance.
Note that on the building plan drawing if steps or a staircase are marked as wheelchair accessible this means that there is an Evac Chair available for use nearby and the exact location is marked on the drawing.
The building:
The Harold Cohen Library has 8 floors.
The main entrance is accessible, and the entry gates open in the event of a fire alarm.
All floors except a small area on the 2nd floor are accessible via the passenger lifts.
The lifts are not fire evacuation lifts and should not be used in the event of a fire.
There are multiple refuge areas provided with Emergency Voice Communication Systems (EVCS) to call for assistance.
If you would like to be alerted to a fire alarm, you can subscribe to a digital messaging system by texting the location code- HCLDMS to 07480486966. You will receive a reply that confirms you are registered. The text will also contain a link to choose an alert preference.
Accessible emergency exits at street level:
Ground floor x 1 – main entrance at the front of the building.
Lower Ground floor x 3:
- left-hand side: two exits.
- right-hand side: one exit.
Accessible emergency exits at other levels (these exits are refuge areas which have emergency voice communication points and have evac chairs nearby):
Basement floor x 2:
- left-hand side: one exit - the staircase.
- right-hand side: one exit – the staircase.
Ground Mezzanine x 2:
- left-hand side: one exit - the staircase.
- right-hand side: one exit – the staircase.
1st floor x 3:
- left-hand side: two exits - the staircase at the PC suites and the staircase at the rear of the building.
- right-hand side: one exit - the staircase at the offices and Wolfson rooms.
2nd floor x 3:
- left-hand side: two exits - the staircase at the PC suites and the staircase at the rear of the building.
- right-hand side: one exit - the staircase.
3rd floor x 2:
- left-hand side: one exit – the staircase.
- right-hand side: one exit – the staircase.
4th floor x 2:
- left-hand side: one exit – the staircase.
- right-hand side: one exit – the staircase.
Other fire exits which are not accessible to wheelchair users:
Several around the building as identified in the GEEP Plan drawing.
Action required on hearing the fire alarm:
You should leave the building immediately by the nearest fire exit and report to the assembly point for the building. The lifts are not fire evacuation lifts and should not be used.
If you need assistance to evacuate the building, please proceed to a refuge area. The refuge areas are listed above and identified in the GEEP Plan drawing. Use the Emergency Voice Communication System (EVCS) to call for assistance. If there is no response from the Evac Chair Team then call 0151 794 2222 for emergency assistance.
The EVCS has outstations in refuge areas from which calls for assistance are made, a master station where calls are received and handled and a handheld radio which can be used as an alternative to the master station.
The procedure for the Evac Chair Team is:
The fire alarm sounds.
Evac Chair Team assembles at EVCS master station on the Ground floor near the main entrance, or, if using the handheld radio, they can assemble elsewhere e.g. outside. When en route encourage people to evacuate the building.
Fire Officer/Deputy Fire Officer identifies the location where the fire signal has been activated by interpreting the fire alarm control panel.
If a call is received from the EVCS call point, then;
Evac Chair Team communicates with the caller.
Evac Chair Team identifies a safe route to the call point, avoiding the area where the fire signal has been activated.
Evac Chair Team turn out one, or two persons to the caller.
Fire Officer/Deputy Fire Officer waits to receive confirmation that the caller has been found and is being evacuated and thereafter waits for the building to empty. If there are no further calls, then they leave and rendezvous with the Evac Chair Team outside the building at the assembly point.
Other recommendations:
It is recommended that all visitors should familiarise themselves with the fire alarm signals and floor layout.
Equipment provided:
A general fire alarm is provided. The signal is continuous.
Refuge areas with an Emergency Voice Communication System are provided.
Evac Chairs are provided and can be moved to points of need in the event of a fire alarm.
If you would like to be alerted to a fire alarm, you can subscribe to a digital messaging system by texting the location code- HCLDMS to 07480486966. You will receive a reply that confirms you are registered. The text will also contain a link to choose an alert preference.
YOUR ASSEMBLY POINT IS: The Quadrangle.
Purpose:
The purpose of General Emergency Evacuation Plans (GEEP) is to identify the arrangements and resources in campus buildings, while setting out a general escape plan which is of use to all occupants and which is of use in the development of a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP), where one is needed. If this GEEP does not provide sufficient information or you require further assistance then you may need a PEEP, please contact Disability Advice and Guidance.
Note that on the building plan drawing if steps or a staircase are marked as wheelchair accessible this means that there is an Evac Chair available for use nearby and the exact location is marked on the drawing.
The building:
The Sydney Jones Library has 4 floors.
There are 3 distinct areas - the Abercromby Wing, the Grove Wing, and the Link between the two.
The main entrance is accessible, and the entry gates open in the event of a fire alarm.
All floors are accessible via the passenger lifts.
The lifts are not fire evacuation lifts and should not be used in the event of a fire.
There are multiple refuge areas provided with Emergency Voice Communication Systems (EVCS) to call for assistance.
If you would like to be alerted to a fire alarm, you can subscribe to a digital messaging system by texting the location code- SJLDMS to 07480486966.You will receive a reply that confirms you are registered. The text will also contain a link to choose an alert preference.
Street level accessible emergency exits:
Ground floor:
Main entrance x 2:
- Near entry/exits gates: one exit.
- Main entrance: one exit.
Grove Wing x 3:
- Front of the building: two exits, one on each side of the staircases.
- The link to Abercromby Wing: one exit.
Abercromby Wing x 1:
- Exit via the corridor and go through the Brett building.
Basement:
Grove Wing x 2:
- Rear of the building: two exits, one in the staircase, and one to the left of the staircase.
Abercromby Wing x 2:
- Rear of the building: two exits, one to the right by the archaeology library, and one at the end of the corridor that serves the large basement study area.
Accessible emergency exits at other levels (these exits are refuge areas which have emergency voice communication points and evac chairs nearby):
Ground floor:
Grove Wing x 1:
- The rear staircase: one exit.
Abercromby Wing x 1:
- The staircase near the accessibility study room, and the PC Suite: one exit.
1st floor:
Grove Wing x 2:
- The rear staircase: one exit.
- The link to Abercromby Wing, the EVCS point, and refuge area are inside the lift lobby.
Abercromby Wing x 2:
- The staircase at the main entrance end by the Know How room: one exit.
- The central staircase: one exit.
2nd floor:
Grove Wing x 2:
- The rear staircase: one exit.
- The link to Abercromby Wing, the EVCS point, and refuge area are inside the lift lobby.
Abercromby Wing x 3:
- The staircase at the main entrance end by the PC Training room: one exit.
- The central staircase: one exit.
- The corridor in between the Staff room and Acquisitions room: one exit, which leads to the Oliver Lodge building.
Basement floor
Grove Wing x 1:
- Left hand side at the end of the corridor: one exit.
Abercromby Wing x 1:
- The staircase at the rear of the large basement study area: one exit.
Other fire exits which are not accessible to wheelchair users:
Several around the building as identified in the GEEP Plan drawing.
Action required on hearing the fire alarm:
You should leave the building immediately by the nearest fire exit and report to the assembly point for the building. The lifts are not fire evacuation lifts and should not be used.
If you need assistance to evacuate the building, please proceed to a refuge area. The refuge areas are listed above and identified in the GEEP plan drawing. Use the emergency voice communication system (EVCS) to call for assistance. If there is no response from the Evac Chair Team, then call 0151 794 2222 for emergency assistance.
The EVCS has outstations in refuge areas from which calls for assistance are made, a master station where calls are received and handled and a handheld radio which can be used as an alternative to the master station.
The procedure for the Evac Chair Team is:
The fire alarm sounds.
Evac Chair Team assembles at EVCS master station on the Ground floor near the main entrance or, if using the handheld radio, they can assemble elsewhere e.g. outside. When en route encourage people to evacuate the building.
Fire Officer/Deputy Fire Officer identifies the location where the fire signal has been activated by interpreting the fire alarm control panel.
If a call is received from the EVCS call point, then;
Evac Chair Team communicates with the caller.
Evac Chair Team identifies a safe route to the call point, avoiding the area where the fire signal has been activated.
Evac Chair Team turn out one, or two persons to the caller.
Fire Officer/Deputy Fire Officer waits to receive confirmation that the caller has been found and is being evacuated and thereafter waits for the building to empty. If there are no further calls, then they leave and rendezvous with the Evac Chair Team outside the building at the assembly point.
Other recommendations:
It is recommended that all visitors should familiarise themselves with the fire alarm signals and floor layout.
Equipment provided:
A general fire alarm is provided. The signal is continuous.
Refuge areas with an emergency voice communication system are provided.
Evac Chairs are provided and can be moved to points of need in the event of a fire alarm.
If you would like to be alerted to a fire alarm, you can subscribe to a digital messaging system by texting the location code- SJLDMS to 07480486966.You will receive a reply that confirms you are registered. The text will also contain a link to choose an alert preference.
YOUR ASSEMBLY POINT IS: Abercromby Square.
Click on the link Victoria Gallery and Museum Building to access the GEEP for VGM
If a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is needed, the line manager is responsible for arranging it for their team members. The line manager will work with the School Safety Team, Disability Support Coordinators, and the Support Team to plan and provide guidance for staff who may need assistance, especially when evacuating the building.
Several staff members are trained in using the evacuation chair and can assist individuals with disabilities during an evacuation.
There are Evac chairs, Electronic Voice Communicator System (EVC System) and a Digital Messaging Service (DMS) available.
Some floors in the building includes restrooms, including accessible restrooms. The staffs and students have separate ones. You need your staff’s id or keys to gain access into some of the staffs’ restrooms.
Cooking facilities for library staffs are limited to one kitchen in the SJL Abercromby wing -2nd floor; one kitchen in HCL- lower ground floor. Items used include a toaster, microwave, kettle, and fridge. Staff are asked not to use kettles in their office but to collect hot water from this area in flasks.
Both the Sydney Jones Library and the Victoria Gallery has a café located on the ground floor in the main foyer/entrance area where you can get a range of hot/cold drinks, food and refreshments.
The building is a no-smoking environment, which also applies to e-cigarettes of any source. If you would like to smoke, please use the designated smoking areas at the front of the building, which are roughly five meters from the entrance. For more information about smoking, visit the Univerisity Health and Safety website and read the Safety Services Codes and Guidance - Smoking.
Whatever the severity of the event or accident, all reports of near-misses, accidents, and cases of occupational illness must be made online using the University's accident and incident reporting system. To report an accident/incident,
