The National College
Health & Safety
On this page:
Safety Statement
Under the terms of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, and associated legislation, the College has prepared a Safety Statement, copies of which are available in the Library, the Students Union and all Faculty/Departmental Offices. It is in your own interest to familiarise yourselves with this document, in particular where it relates to your own area. In addition, specific safety procedures are posted where necessary in individual Faculties and Departments. In the interests of your own safety and that of all the College community, we would ask that you comply immediately with any instructions relating to safety given to you by members of staff.
Should you have any queries regarding safety, contact a representative of the Safety Committee, who are:
- Vincent Kehoe Ext. 4296/4297
- Trevor Peirce (Chairperson) Ext. 4232
- Rosemary O’ Gorman Ext. 4291
- Safety Representative: Jim Griffiths Ext. 4236
The Safety Committee meets on a regular basis (generally monthly during term time) to discuss all issues of safety and access. If you have anything you would like to bring to the attention of a meeting, you should contact your Safety Representative.
First Aid
It is important to know the first aid experts within your Department. Most of the Technical Assistants will have been on a first aid course and there is always one designated first aid expert within each Department. You should also note where the first aid kit is located within your Department. If an accident occurs, you should be able to act quickly.
The College has an abbreviated direct dial system, just dial 7077 to get through to the emergency services, ambulance, fire and Gardai. Also, extension 4299 is an emergency link to the Attendants who should be contacted in the event of emergency.
Fire Drills
A fire drill is conducted each term within the College. On hearing the fire alarm you should leave your area immediately and go to the appointed meeting place.
Fires have occurred in the past, so we must know that each student will move promptly on hearing the fire alarm. To that end also, no personal stereos should be used in the College as these may prevent you from hearing an alarm.
No Smoking Regulations
The No Smoking regulation came into force with effect from 29 March 2004. As a result no smoking is permitted in any of the College buildings. These are strict regulations and must be adhered to by all staff and students.
Alcohol Policy
The College accepts that alcohol consumption in our society is legally and culturally normative, and that there are many advantages associated with moderate consumption. Research suggests that patterns of consumption amongst younger drinkers may involve binge drinking, carrying with it a particularly high risk of behavioral and health difficulties, whilst regular consumption of even moderate amounts of alcohol may create a health risk.
Research has identified the following alcohol related problems, which academic staff and others involved in student services have identified as being sufficiently serious and sufficiently common to warrant a policy response
- Alcohol related to deterioration in academic performance
- Drop out from College
- Drunken behaviour on campus and surrounding areas, causing offence or creating risk for others
- Unprotected sexual activity following excessive drinking
- Physical health problems caused directly by alcohol consumption
- Serious mood disorders to which alcohol is a major contributory factor.
The aims of the National College of Art and Design Alcohol Policy are to:
- Ensure that the social and academic life on campus is conducive to the health and well being of students and staff.
- Ensure that the College environment complies with health and safety regulations.
- To inform all members of the College community of the risks associated with alcohol consumption and the nature of alcohol related problems.
- Promote the College as a supportive environment that enables students and staff to make healthy choices that promote health and wellbeing.
- Provide support services for those who may require assistance during their time at College.
The objectives are:
- Promote the health and wellbeing of students and staff.
- Promote personal responsibility and social obligation to the College community.
- Enhance a campus environment where low-risk drinking is the norm.
- Promote low-risk drinking and discourage high-risk drinking.
- Provide an atmosphere free from pressure to drink for those who choose not to drink
- Provide confidential and effective supports for those who seek assistance as a result of problem drinking.
- Reduce the incidence of alcohol-related problems among College students and staff.
- Promote a caring environment for those who experience difficulties related to alcohol.
College Alcohol Policy
- Marketing and Promotions. The College does not approve of the practice whereby Drinks companies appoint a student representative to promote their products on campus. Such sponsorship should primarily be monetary rather than in a material form. Where sponsorship is provided in the form of the product, it must be closely monitored by the Students’ Union to ensure that no more than two free drinks are given to anyone attending an event, and that the advertisement for specific events should not identify access to free or cheap alcohol as a primary incentive to attendance. In addition students must be offered the alternative of non-alcoholic drinks.
- The College does not have a College Bar. The provision of alcohol by the Students’ Union at special events must be under licence and must be controlled by those who issue the licence. Where drink is provided, non-alcoholic drink and food should be served at events at which alcohol is provided. Only drink provided through the Students’ Union can be consumed at events organised by the Union.
- The provision of alcohol must adhere to all pertinent national laws ie: no public intoxication, no one shall sell or give away any alcoholic beverages to an underage person or an intoxicated person.
- The use of alcohol must not adversely affect other people or their property.
- The use and distribution of illegal drugs or the misuse of legal drugs is dangerous to the individual as well as the College community and is unacceptable behavior.
- The Students’ Union should be encouraged and assisted to provide accurate and non-moralistic advice on alcohol related problems in its handbook which is given to students at the beginning of the academic year, and the College’s Student Handbook should also highlight an awareness of alcohol and other drugs and associated problems.
- The Student Counselling service and the Student Health service shall continue to provide a key role in intervening with identified problem drinkers, and in supporting other members of the College community who are in a position to help in this area.
- Second Year tutors are required to advise their Heads where a student has been absent for a period exceeding two days or has been inconsistent in attendance. The College Community Welfare Group must be provided with this information each month.
- Financing of Student Union events may be affected by the implementation of this policy. This affect can be discussed with the College management.
Student's Responsibilty
- Students drinking alcohol on-campus are expected to use alcohol in a responsible manner.
- Being under the influence of alcohol will not be accepted as an extenuating circumstance in the case of any other offences such as engaging in violent or destructive behaviour.
Low Risk Drinking Behaviour
- Consideration as to whether you will drink, and how much you will drink.
- Eating a full meal before drinking.
- Selecting a safe way to get home before drinking such as using public transport, walking with a friend.
- Always knowing what you are drinking, where your drink came from and keeping it in sight at all times.
- Avoid mixing alcohol and drinking double shots.
- Knowing the signs of intoxication and avoid becoming intoxicated.
- Pacing your drinking – one drink per hour.
- Not allowing others to talk you into drinking m ore than you had planned
High Risk Drinking Behaviour
- Assuming that everyone drinks and that being drunk is socially acceptable.
- Drinking to relieve stress, anxiety or deal with uncomfortable feelings.
- Drinking to get drunk.
- Participating in drinking games.
- Drinking from an unknown source such as a punch bowl or a glass that someone hands you.
- Not knowing what you are drinking or leaving your drink unattended.
Campus Security
Personal items should not be left unattended, as there will always be someone willing to take them off your hands. Possible thefts are always a problem within any institution and whilst it is not a regular occurrence, intruders have been known to enter with this intention. It is always better to be safe than sorry – take care of your belongings!
Off-campus security is also something you should be aware of. Whilst the College is located near the city centre, the streets surrounding it are not brightly lit after dark and caution when travelling to and from College is important. The plan of the College inside the front cover, and the map from the city centre to Thomas Street might help you to familiarise yourself with the area.
Download: An Garda Siochana's Campus Safety and Security programme's guide to safety on campus. (PDF 72k)
Download: Printable Student Handbook (PDF 742k)
