Mission

At Duhok Polytechnic University (DPU), we prioritize the health and safety of our employees, students, and visitors above all else. We achieve this by maintaining safe and healthy working conditions and fostering a culture centered on awareness, open communication, safety education, supervision, and safe working methods. Our ultimate objective is to eliminate work-related injuries and illnesses entirely.

Safety is the responsibility of every individual within the university community, and we all actively participate in activities aimed at ensuring a safe work environment. The DPU safety committee assumes leadership in our safety efforts and provides the necessary resources for an effective accident prevention program. Supervisors are tasked with maintaining safe work conditions within their respective areas and ensuring that all operations prioritize safety above all else. Department laboratory principal investigators are responsible for the safe operation of their laboratories and ensuring that staff and students under their supervision receive adequate training for the safe use of facilities.

Each employee bears the responsibility of consistently adhering to established safety procedures, promptly reporting potential hazards, and nurturing a proactive culture that emphasizes the safe and responsible use of DPU facilities. Together, we are committed to creating a workplace where every individual can work and learn without compromising their health or safety.

Vision

Our vision at Duhok Polytechnic University (DPU) is to cultivate and advance a safe and healthful environment across all our colleges and institutes, benefiting students, staff, and guests alike. We aspire to achieve this by maintaining a high standard of environmental health and safety services and continually expanding into new realms of research and innovation.

In pursuit of our vision, we are committed to:

  1. Ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals within our university community.
  2. Providing comprehensive environmental health and safety services that meet the evolving needs of our academic and research endeavors.
  3. Fostering a culture of proactive risk management and hazard mitigation.
  4. Promoting continuous improvement in health and safety practices through ongoing education, training, and innovation.
  5. Collaborating with stakeholders to identify emerging challenges and develop effective solutions.
  6. Expanding our research and innovation initiatives to address emerging health and safety issues and contribute to the broader scientific community.

Through these efforts, we aim to establish DPU as a leader in promoting a safe and healthful environment conducive to learning, research, and innovation.

Policy

  1. It is the policy of Duhok Polytechnic University (DPU), to the extent reasonably practicable, to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of all workers, students, and individuals on site, while adhering to legal obligations.
  2. In line with this overarching policy, the University is committed to effectively managing hazards and risks arising from its facilities or activities. Specifically, the University will:
    1. Provide and maintain a safe working environment, plant, and systems for workers, students, and visitors, free from risks to health.
    2. Offer necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure identification, understanding, and effective management of health and safety hazards and risks.
    3. Establish health and safety objectives reviewed annually through internal audits and performance reviews to ensure continuous improvement.
    4. Support workers in achieving health and safety objectives by providing requisite resources.
    5. Mandate accurate reporting, notification, and investigation of all injuries and incidents.
    6. Facilitate prompt and effective work-based rehabilitation for work-related injuries and, where feasible, non-work injuries.
    7. Provide leaders within the University with training and information to ensure competence in health and safety matters.
    8. Promote education in safe working practices for students, preparing them for future employment.
      1. Establish adequate consultation processes for health and safety matters, actively engaging students and workers.
    9. Implement a comprehensive occupational health and safety management system.
  3. All DPU workers have responsibilities under legislation to prevent harm to themselves or others in the workplace. Specifically, DPU requires all workers to:
    1. Report all incidents and injuries promptly after occurrence.
    2. Participate in the University's health and safety management systems, including using provided safety equipment.
    3. Notify relevant health and safety staff of identified risks to the health and safety of staff, students, or visitors.
    4. Actively engage in rehabilitation for work-related injuries or illnesses.
  4. The University's health and safety performance will be monitored and reviewed through:
    1. Monthly reports to the Council and Vice Dean Group by the Head of Health and Safety Compliance on performance.
    2. Annual health and safety performance reports, encompassing goal setting and achievements, policy reviews, significant events, corrective actions, and audit results.