Rules and staying safe
The College is concerned about your safety and health, and efforts have been put into making your stay in College a safe one. Your safety is also, however, dependent on the exercise of common sense by you and other residents at all times. You also have an obligation to consider others as well as yourself and not to create unnecessary hazards by your actions or your omissions.
If you see anything that could be dangerous, if you have an accident or something happens that fortunately didn’t cause any harm but could have done report it immediately to the Porters’ Lodge or by emailing faults@lmh.ox.ac.uk
The most important things to draw to your attention are:
Fire. The risk of fire is constant and vital in sleeping accommodation. You must not to anything that could cause a fire and put your life or others’ lives at risk.
We have sensitive and high quality fire detection systems and alarm sounders in all buildings. If you discover a fire sound the alarm and get out of the building. If you hear the fire alarm you must evacuate the building immediately to the nearest muster point – make sure you know where they are.
We test the fire alarm around 1pm on Mondays. You don’t need to evacuate if the alarm only sounds for a short time.
Fire escape routes. It’s essential and required of us by law to keep corridors clear and safe at all times. Fire doors that help control smoke in the event of a fire in these corridors must be closed at all times. Make sure you always know how to evacuate the building you are in.
Smoking, candles and naked flames. Smoking, candles and naked flames are not permitted in any College buildings.
Charging lithium batteries. Lithium batteries pose a particularly severe hazard: a lithium fire is very difficult to control and has an additional toxic fumes hazard. Larger batteries such as those used in E-scooters and electric bikes must always be charged in the designated secure charging shed within LMH grounds.
Electricity. You must make sure all electrical supplies are safe an in good condition before using them, and only connect safe electrical devices that are in good condition to our electrical network. Report problems to faults@lmh.ox.ac.uk . We will remove dangerous portable electrical devices if we find them.
There is an electrical substation that provides power to the local neighbourhood on site. There are up to 11,000V live in the substation. The building is locked shut and marked – you must never enter.
River. Beware of deep water, mud, water weeds and strong currents when on the banks or boating. Due to the risk of Weil’s disease and other water borne infections avoid contact with river water wherever possible. Do not swim in the river.
In protracted cold weather thin ice may cover the river – this will not hold your weight and can be extremely dangerous – avoid at all costs.
Trees. Many of our trees are aged. During periods of high winds trees may become unstable; large branches and entire trees can fall. Avoid walking under trees in windy or stormy weather, or when lightning is forecast.
Cooking Only cook in the kitchens provided and never leave cooking unattended.
Slips Trips and Falls. Slips, trips and falls are the most common type of accident in the UK. Be aware of your surrounds at all times. You must not leave items where they will create a tripping hazard for someone else.
Legionella. Legionella is a disease caused by bacteria that can be found in natural water sources. Infection is transmitted by inhalation of bacteria in aerosol form. We carry out regular water tests at our accommodation site in accordance with legislation. Regular access will be required to your accommodation to complete this. We will always give you notice when this is going to happen. If you have been away from your accommodation, for more than one week run showers and taps for 10 minutes (open the windows first to ventilate the water vapour and face away from taps and showers while doing this).
We have set out in more detail these and other important hazards on the college site and you must familiarise yourself with them and how to avoid them if you want to enjoy the college buildings and grounds.
Rules
While living in the college or using the college’s facilities you must adhere to the college rules https://www.lmh.ox.ac.uk/lmh-regulations-procedures-and-policies and those of the University https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/conduct#:~:text=The%20behaviours%20which%20are%20prohibited,offensive%20behaviour%20or%20language%2C%20harassment%2C
Some rules that often come up in relation to using your College accommodation are:
Guests: You are responsible for your guests and their behaviour, which must not be a nuisance to any other residents or staff. Guests must be signed in and out at the Porters’ Lodge.
Noise. You must be aware of the impact of your behaviour on others. The College accommodates nearly 500 people in close quarters. Complaints over unreasonable noise disruption will be dealt with by the Dean and their team.
Food. If stored incorrectly food items can attract bacteria and pests. No food deliveries will be accepted at the Lodge; food deliveries to the college must be collected directly by you. Food should be stored in your kitchen not your room and all food must be covered and kept sealed in rigid containers.
Damage. You will be held responsible for damage to the walls and other surfaces including carpets in your room, e.g. from pictures, blue tack, LED lights, spillages etc. If we have to redecorate you may be charged for that work.
