The cost of the college’s risk reduction activites has risen by €219,000 for this year, bringing the total cost to €600,000- an increase of 57%. The dramatic rise in cost is attributed to investment in fire safety and alarm systems required by the college for insurance reasons.
The cost of the college’s risk reduction activites has risen by €219,000 for this year, bringing the total cost to €600,000- an increase of 57%. The dramatic rise in cost is attributed to investment in fire safety and alarm systems required by the college for insurance reasons. The previous cost per year of €381,000 has remined the same for the past few years. According to the college communications office, a “substantial saving” was made by the college on their insurance premiums last year by switching to a new insurance provider. The decision to increase funding for risk reduction activities was made on the basis that it was expected the new insurers would require certain measures and upgrades following their inspections of the college.
A college spokesperson told Trinity News “the recommendations of our insurers include, among others, the improvement of fire protection in buildings to prevent the spread of fire between buildings, the testing and upgrading if necessary of electrical systems and the protection of edges to prevent falls.” Regarding the magnitude of the increase, the college stated that “the additional €219,000 is not a significant amount in the context of the large number of buildings occupied by College.”
Specific examples of where this type of funding is spent include fire alarms, emergency lighting in the Arts Building, traffic safety, and safety training. Precisely where the money is spent and in what amount is decided by the College Safety Committee.
Resposnibility for health and safety in the college rests ultimately with the Board. A College Safety Officer (currently Mr. Tom Merriman) is appointed to monitor and improve heath and safety measures. He is also repsonsible for risk assessments and safety audits of college buildngs. Within each department, a designated individual (most often the deprtment head) is responsible for drawing up and implementing a departmental-specific safety statement.
