Protect yourself from seasonal infections
Flu and other infections such as norovirus are particularly common in the winter. Simply remembering to wash your hands thoroughly with soapy water throughout the day (especially after travelling on public transport, before eating or drinking, before smoking, and after using the toilet) goes a long way to protect you and those around you from these illnesses.
We have issued some guidance| on how to prevent yourself becoming infected by the norovirus, and what to do if you become ill.
Are your innoculations up to date?
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) encourages all students to make sure that their innoculations are up to date, and that they are fully vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella and Group C meningococcal (meningitis C) infection. These diseases are highly infectious, so can spread quickly. If you are not sure, contact your doctor or the St Philips medical centre| in Tower 3. If you have not yet registered with a doctor now is the time to do so, don't wait until you are ill! Information on the health service in the UK and finding a GP is available on the student webpage under Health information|.
The HPA have issued guidance| for students on immunisations against measles, mumps, rubella and Meningitis.
More information on meningitis can be found on the Meningitis Trust |website.
'Students will you wake up!'
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) runs a campaign aimed at students living in private rented accommodation to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide fumes| from faulty gas appliances.
If you live in private rented accommodation check that your landlord has had the gas appliances inspected, and ask to see a copy of the annual gas safety inspection record.
Electrical Safety for Students
The Electrical Safety Council has produced some guidance for students| on electrical safety, particularly if you are in private rented accommodation. In Halls of Residence, follow the local electrical safety rules.
Fire Safety in Your Home
Most fires start accidentally in the home, often because cooking is left unattended, or due to electrical items. The London Fire Brigade has published advice on Fire Safety at Home|. If you are in a Hall of Residence, follow the fire safety rules there: they are there to protect you and everyone else in the Hall.
Webinars for those with caring responsibilities
The charity Working Families provides free webinars (seminar delivered over the internet) to help employees find a balance between work and family responsibilities. They are advertised on HR's website. To find out more go to the Working Families website|.
Doing Good Does you Good
The theme for last year’s mental health awareness week from 21st May to 27th May 2012 was “Doing good does you good|”. Research by the Mental Health Foundation, who sponsor mental health awareness week, has found that helping others can reduce stress, improve emotion well-being and benefit physical health. “Doing good” doesn’t have to involve grand gestures or cost money, instead it could be:
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Smiling and saying thank you,
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Carrying out small acts of kindness to friends or strangers
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Volunteering your time
Whether you are a giver or recipient, share your experiences on The Mental Health Foundation facebook page http://www.facebook.com/mentalhealthawarenessweek|
Research on the importance of line managers to acheiving a good work-life balance
Dr Alexandra Beauregard of LSE's Department of Management has found that even where options such as flexible working hours and help with childcare are available to employees, these do little to reduce stress unless there is positive endorsement from managers. Managers' peformance appraisals should therefore include their effectiveness in helping employees achieve a good work-life balance. Further information is available in the LSE News Archive|.
Mental Health Promotion Portal
The European Network for Mental Health Promotion has launched a website| dedicated to supporting mental health promotion, including in the workplace.
The portal offers a range of information on promoting good mental health including e-learning packages and toolkits.
Complywise - online stress awareness training
To coincide with National Stress Awareness Day, the School launched a new online training module for staff. The module is part of the Complywise |online health and safety training package, and covers how to avoid workplace issues that can lead to stress. Encouraging staff to complete the stress management module is one of the measures the School is taking to raise awareness of stress issues so that problems can be prevented. So be proactive - complete the module now, don't wait until you are feeling stressed!
Email the Health and Safety| mailbox or contact your local health and safety co-ordinator for details how to access Complywise.
Time for change
An LSE academic has taken part in an unique social experiment to demonstrate the prejudice and stigma experienced by people experiencing mental health difficulties. The experiment, which was conducted in collaboration with the 'Time for change' campaign, MIND and RETHINK, involve scenarios involving looking for flatmates and friends on a Social networking set and tracks the reaction of people when a mental health problem is disclosed. The results of the experiment can be seen in a short video on the Time to Change| website.
It's good to talk - join the Mental Health Mutual Support Group
People experiencing mental health difficulties can often feel isolated and unable to discuss their situation, even with close colleagues. To help address this, we are establishing an informal mutual support group for LSE staff, including those who are experiencing mental health difficulties or have had any such difficulties in the past. This is not intended as a therapy group, nor as a replacement for counselling, but rather as a forum for talking about these issues. We imagine that staff participating in this may wish to meet once or twice a term to share experiences, and also pass on practical tips, such as how they broached the issue with their colleagues. If you would like further information or are interested in participating in this group please contact Ann O'Brien on Health.And.Safety@lse.ac.uk| All communication will be treated as confidential.
Well-being and stress management
Visit the Well-being and Stress management| page to find out more information on the School's Employee Well-being Policy. The page also contains information for employees and managers recognising and managing stress and enhancing well-being.
Health and safety training opportunities
See the training and development portal| for courses. If you can't find what you are looking for, email Health.And.Safety@lse.ac.uk|
Complywise
The School is required to provide health and safety training, but we know it is sometimes difficult for staff to find time to attend training courses so the School has launched an on-line training package. Staff can access the training modules covering general safety information, fire safety, using computers and manual handling at a time that is convenient for them. See the Complywise| web page for more details.
Resource page for health and safety coordinators
We have launched a page which contains all the key information health and safety co-ordinators need to carry out their role. Visit the Health and safety coordinator resources| page today!
Facilities for pregnant and nursing mothers
We have a room on the first floor of the Parish Hall, where expectant mothers can put their feet up and rest, and where staff who are still breast-feeding and returning to work can express and store milk (see photos|). This facility is available for both staff and students to use. For more information and the entry code email Health and Safety|.
Safe Posture and Avoiding RSI
Tim Hanwell, the School's Osteopath, is giving a series of talks at lunchtime throughout the year on how to avoid Repetitive Strain Injuries when using a computer or laptop. These hour-long talks are aimed at both staff and students and provide tips on how to achieve good posture and prevent aches and pains.
Anyone interested in attending should book a place through the Training and Development| system, or can drop in on the day.
Back care
The Health and Safety Executive has launched a Better Backs campaign| to reduce back problems caused by poor posture and working practices.
Refresher and practice sessions for evacuation volunteers
Monthly practice sessions are held for those who have volunteered to assist disabled persons evacuate in the event of an emergency using an evacuation chair. Please see Schedule for dates & venues| (PDF). Training can be booked through the Training and Development| system.
If you are interested in becoming an evacuation volunteer, please contact Ann O'Brien ( ann.o'brien@lse.ac.uk| ) for more information.
MIIRP available
The School's procedure for responding to major emergencies has recently been revised and updated. It is now called the LSE Major Incident Initial Response Plan (MIIRP), and is available here|.
The School is always looking for volunteers to assist the Emergency Management Teams to carry out a variety of tasks in an emergency such as help setting up emergency control rooms, staffing telephone help-lines, acting as scribes or runners.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering should contact Ann O'Brien( ann.o'brien@lse.ac.uk| ), Head of Health & Safety.