Staying safe

www.gold.ac.uk/about/staysafe

Emergency
In an emergency dial 999 from an external phone (the call should be free) or 0999 from an internal phone for the police, ambulance or fire brigade.

The College Security Team can be contacted on 7105, or 020 7919 7105 if outside College.

General order
The College Superintendent has responsibility for maintaining general order throughout the College. The portering and security staff can be contacted through reception at the main entrance to Goldsmiths in the Richard Hoggart Building, and on 020 7919 7100.

Health and safety
Goldsmiths aims to provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to health. This is set out in the College’s Health and Safety Policy.

The aims of the policy are:
•    The elimination of hazards and reduction of risks to prevent harm to College staff, students and others affected by College operations
•    Compliance with relevant legislation and with good practice in the higher education sector
•    Support for the College mission and strategic aims
•    Integration of health and safety with other management planning, strategies and responsibilities.

The policy applies to all employees, students, premises and activities under the control of the College, including staff and students travelling off-campus in the UK or overseas
on College business.

The full policy and more information about health and safety at Goldsmiths is available on the web at www.gold.ac.uk/health-safety.

Smokefree College
All College buildings including the Students’ Union are smokefree.  

If you would like help to give up smoking, the NHS offers a range of free services. Visit www.gosmokefree.co.uk or call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 for details.  Alternatively you can text ‘GIVE UP’ and your full postcode to 88088 to find your local NHS Stop Smoking Service.

Fire safety
The main thing to remember is: fight the fire only if you have been trained and it is safe to do so. Activate the nearest fire alarm (red ‘break glass’ box on the wall next to exit doors) then leave the building by the nearest available exit and go to the fire assembly point. Do not re-enter the building until it is declared safe by the Head Porter, a member of the Security Team or the Fire Safety Officer.

Insurance
Goldsmiths is unable to accept liability for lost or stolen property. Please make sure you are covered by your own insurance policy. You can find out more about insurance schemes for students by visiting the National Union of Students (NUS) web site www.nusonline.co.uk and searching for ‘insurance’.

Lost property
Lost property should be handed in to Reception at the front of the Richard Hoggart Building.

Staying safe
A College leaflet, the ’Stay Safe Guide’, produced jointly with the Students’ Union, is available from the Student Support Office, the Students’ Union, and is online at http://www.gold.ac.uk/about/staysafe. Much of the advice is common sense, but personal safety is something to take seriously whether you’ve lived in London all your life, or are coming here for the first time. The message is – keep thinking, be aware of your surroundings, and look after yourself. The leaflet includes information and advice about campus life and security, getting around at night, what to do if you experience a crime, and a list of useful contact numbers.

Safer Neighbourhood Scheme
A Safer Neighbourhood Scheme has been set up in the New Cross area by Lewisham Police. The scheme is supported by Goldsmiths and the Students’ Union. The aim of the scheme is to reduce crime as well as reducing the fear of crime.

The Safer Neighbourhood Team visits the Students’ Union regularly (usually at least once a week) during term time, to give advice on keeping safe and keeping your property safe. For example, they can help you register your mobile phone on the MEND Database (the Mobile Equipment National Database). This means that if your phone is lost or stolen, you can make sure your handset is blocked across all UK networks. It also means that if your phone is found, it can be returned to you quickly. Look out for posters and leaflets providing more information, or telephone the Students’ Union 020 8692 1406.