Page 45 - UNIZULU Disaster Management Plan Report

13. DEATH OF STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE ON CAMPUS
Regardless of whether or not it is a criminal matter, the SA Police Services must be called, and due process must be followed in removing the body and securing the location.
The degree of involvement by the University in responding to the death of an employee or student will depend on both the manner and location of the event. Actions may therefore vary on a case-by-case basis, but the general principles and processes highlighted below.
OFF CAMPUS
If student has died because of an accident or a violent incident, contact the Dean of Students and Warden IMMEDIATELY.
Notification of the death of a student off campus may be received by any employee or student within the University. It is important that this information is transmitted to the Dean of Students at the earliest opportunity. Notification out of hours should be done through the PSD at 6599.
It is important that, in the event of a student death off campus, all information is verified and validated with agencies that may be relied upon as much as possible before notifications or other actions are carried out.
If the student is on a field trip or at a partner institution, the student’s supervisor should be invited to the CRT and the associated appropriate risk assessments used as a key information resource.
ON CAMPUS
If student has died on campus, contact the Dean of Students and CALL the PSD IMMEDIATELY Dial 6599. If an employee has died on campus contact the Line Manager who will contact the HR office.
13.1 CRT Procedures
13.1.1 Protective Services Division
Upon receiving notification of the death of a university student or employee, the PSD’s responsibilities are as follows: 1) The PSD shift supervisor should immediately notify
the PSD duty officer who should obtain relevant information such as:
I. When and where did the incident occur?
II. III. IV. V.
VI.
What specifically happened? What was the cause?
Who was involved? What is their student / employee status?
Are the local media involved and/or on scene?
Has the next of kin or designated contact person/s of the involved student / employee been contacted? If so, who has been contacted?
Confirm if the party involved is a university student or employee.
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND
2) If a body is discovered, first aid possibilities should be the first option to be considered. When first aid is no longer possible the area in which the body has been found should be secured as a potential crime scene.
3) It is important to remember anything that may have necessarily been moved or disturbed when trying to render first aid. No access other than for medical staff should be allowed to the area or any items disturbed until police clearance has been given.
4) In order to prevent morbid groups of interested parties becoming a nuisance, a cordon should be maintained around the area to maintain privacy and prevent photography, etc.
5) The Director: PSD should contact the OHS Manager and the Chair of the CRT to activate the Disaster Management and Response Network.
6) The police will arrange for the body to be removed, and for any necessary post-mortem to be undertaken.
7) If there are witnesses whom the police may wish to interview, they should be taken to a private area removed from the immediate scene as soon as possible and provide with appropriate comfort.
8) Coordinate the information disseminated to local law enforcement at the scene (if applicable).
9) Maintain contact with the Dean of Students (w.r.t. students) or the manager / head of department (w.r.t. employees), and onsite PSD Officers.
13.1.2 Guidance and Counselling
Upon receiving notification of the death of a university student, the responsibilities of Guidance and Counselling are as follows:
DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN
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