Student health and safety
We're all responsible
The health and safety of students, whether on campus or undertaking study related activities off campus, is extremely important at the University of Newcastle: To help the University manage and respond to health and safety incidents and issues, it is essential all injuries, illnesses, hazards and near misses are reported as soon as possible.
If you notice a hazard, witness or are involved in an incident or sustain an injury, please report it in AIMS, the University's online incident reporting system.
Log an incident report
If you are unable to access AIMS for any reason, either ask a University staff member to log the report on your behalf, or contact the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team directly by email at HealthandSafety@newcastle.edu.au or call (02) 4033 9999 and select #5.
Health and safety roles and responsibilities on campus
The following information outlines your roles and legal responsibilities as a students of the University in regard to managing the health and safety of yourself and others. At all times when you are on campus, you should consider the potential for you to harm yourself or others through your actions. Do not place yourself or others at risk. If there are safety rules in place or instructions provided, you should ensure that you understand them. Ask questions if you don’t, and follow those instructions to avoid harm.
As a student you have a role to take action in response to an emergency situation.
If an emergency alarm sounds you must follow the directions of the Emergency Warden or Security Services and evacuate the building to a designate assembly point. Do not reenter a building until the all clear has been given.
If you have any mobility or accessibility issues that may affect your ability to respond to an emergency alarm, please contact the AccessAbility Team or the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team for a confidential conversation to discuss additional assistance or support you may require to ensure your safety on campus.
If there is an immediate risk to the health and safety of a person or people, contact Security Services. Please save this important number in your phone:
Security Services - (02) 4921 5888
Take whatever action that you can without placing yourself in danger, to warn or avoid people getting hurt, and Security will take over when they arrive. For emergency assistance please call 000 and then contact Security Services so they know that the emergency services have been called and can assist them when they arrive on campus.
As a student, you are likely to spend a great deal of time in front of a computer and writing reports or assignments. Computer use and other desk activities have a potential to cause a range of injuries. Poor workstation ergonomics over an extended time can cause greater fatigue, muscle and tendon stress and pain.
Learning the appropriate posture and how to set your desk up will go a long way to ensuring you don’t suffer from pain. Use this workstation ergonomics information and setup checklist to help set up your workstation correctly and prevent injuries.
- Bikes and Skateboards - While the University encourages the use of transport other than cars, riders of bikes and skateboards should exercise caution and slow down on shared paths. University paths are shared and pedestrians have right of way.
- Risks to your personal security - During the colder months in particular, many students are at the University after dark. Avoid placing yourself at risk by not going into dark or remote areas of car parks and paths if you are alone. walk in pairs or groups, and where this is not possible Security Services can be contacted to request a Safe Walk Service or use of the Security Shuttle. Smart Paths are recommended paths with enhanced lighting, wide paths and CCTV surveillance. For more information visit Safety and Security Services.
- Spiders, snakes and other animals on campus - A range of wildlife, including mammals, insects and reptiles maker their home on the bushland campuses of the University. Some of these may become protective or aggressive and cause injury if they are disturbed by humans. If you encounter any native creature, avoid making contact with the animal, insect or reptile and if there is a risk that someone could be injured, report the concern to Security Services or a member of University staff.
- Slips, Trips or Falls – Slips, trips and falls are very common, and can usually be attributed to rushing, not concentrating, wearing the wrong footwear, or adverse weather conditions. Avoid texting on the phone while walking or similar distracting activities and get to where you are going without injury.
Further information and resources can be found on the Health, Safety and Wellbeing webpages or you can contact the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team directly by email or by calling (02) 4033 9999 and select #5..
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.