Environment, health and safety: Ghent University policy
The staff of the Health & Safety support services provide a central resource for health and safety to complement and support the work of safety officers in the University’s academic departments. Together they ensure that the University is a safe and healthy place to work, study or visit.
Our specialist safety advisers work alongside external authorities. They also run a comprehensive programme of internal inspections, including environmental monitoring, chemical monitoring and noise surveys. The team also delivers training courses and produces guidance documents on a wide range of topics to ensure that all University staff are equipped to deliver best practice in health and safety.
Emergencies
The Ghent University Emergency Centre is open 24/7 and is located at Home Vermeylen (Stalhof 6). This Centre responds to technical incidents (power failure, damage to infrastructure, leakage, stuck lift etc.) and safety and security incidents (fire, accident, aggression, theft, excessive noise etc.).
- in case of emergency, call 88 (via an internal phone) or 09 264 88 88
- in case of non-emergency, call 09 264 71 25 or e-mail (permanentie@UGent.be)
- Try to prepare your call by means of 'who, where, when, what and why'.
Environment
Ghent University is committed to the principle and practice of environmental protection, with a focus on continuing improvement and reducing pollution. The Environment Office has drawn up an environmental policy relating pollution, hazardous agents, water, soil, air, biosafety, energy, mobility, etc.
The Environment Office also coordinates the sustainability policy of Ghent University.
Occupational health
The Department of Occupational Medicine has an advisory role in assisting the University to meet its general duty of care under Health Care Regulations. Its main functions are to prevent ill health arising from work and to promote health at UGent through the following activities:
- devising preventive strategies for identifying and controlling hazards to health arising from work.
- advising on individual's fitness or suitability for work.
- providing health surveillance in the workplace to ensure that the working environment will not adversely affect health (including workplace prevention for expectant mothers).
- providing advice on the planning and organization of work, including the design of workplaces, ergonomics and protective equipment.
- developing policies and strategies for the prompt recognition and treatment of injuries and illnesses arising from work.
- providing in First Aid courses and information.
- advising on rehabilitation and resettlement after illness or injury.
- promoting health education programmes on lifestyle issues such as smoking, healthy eating and alcohol and drug abuse.
- providing information and advice for medical students - trainees during their internship.
- organizing vaccination campaigns (e.g. free flu shots for staff).
- health and vaccination advice for work related travelling.
An important part of their duties is providing the medical check-up for staff. Everyone employed via an UGent contract receives an invitation letter for a medical check-up which is mandatory for all new employees. This check-up is performed by the nurses and doctors of the Department of Occupational Medicine on the campus of the Ghent University Hospital (UZ Gent).
In case you underwent a medical check-up in order to obtain your visa, please bring the pertaining document with you.
Contact information
Ghent University Hospital
Corneel Heymanslaan 10 (Entrance 81, Route 824)
9000 Gent
T 09 332 30 76
Safety
To maximise the safety of its employees and students, Ghent University aims to limit the number of work-related accidents. The Safety Department promotes safety by activities in the fields of occupational safety, ergonomics, risk assessment, evacuation and intervention training.
Contact: veiligheid@UGent.be
Radiation
The prime objects of the Radiation Protection Service are the supervision of the departments where radioactive agents and ionizing radiation are used, radioactive waste policy, monitoring individual radiation exposure, and providing information on radiation protection.
Contact: straling@UGent.be