Mike Wetherell - Head of Health and Safety
Mike joined the central safety team in 2014 to help the University further develop organisational wide safety systems in scientific and technical areas following his success within the former College structure as the Biological Safety Officer. Mike has a degree in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry graduating from the University of Exeter in 2009.
Mike’s main duties include:
- managing and supporting the central team of Health, Safety and Fire Safety Advisors
- supporting the Chair of the University Health and Safety Committees
- overseeing the University Health and Safety Management Systems and with the help of the wider team ensure compliance levels are checked, maintained and if required improved
- being the primary contact for external regulators, ensuring any visits and actions are managed through the appropriate channels within the University’s structures
- supporting the University’s health and safety strategic direction
Rhian Loosemore - Health & Safety Advisor
Rhian joined the team in November 2013. As a safety generalist Rhian's role is to develop organisational wide safety systems for the general safety subjects such the incident reporting & investigation standard, events and fieldwork. One of Rhian’s expert subjects is ergonomics and is the point of contact for musculoskeletal issues relating to Display Screen Equipment (DSE) and manual handling. She works closely with the Occupational Health, Disability and Wellbeing Advisors to provide additional support to staff as required. In addition to her financial sector experience Rhian has also worked in the NHS and brings much experience around managing lone working, UK and international travel.
Rhian is the main contact for:
- Faculty of the Environment, Science and Economy (ESE)
- Finance, Infrastructure and Commercial Services (excluding formerly CIOSS departments)
- External Engagement and Global
Liz O'Brien - Health, Safety and Radiation Protection Officer
Liz joined the safety team in 2018 and is the main contact for ionising and non-ionising radiation safety, covering compliance with the ionising radiations regulations, environmental permitting regulations, control of artificial optical radiation at work regulations and other applicable legislations.
Liz is the main contact for:
- Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
- Education and Academic Services
- Human Resources
- IT Services
Rachel Rollinson - Deputy Health and Safety Advisor
Rachel joined the Health & Safety team in 2021 and is the main contact for queries relating to the Noise, Vibration, Confined Spaces, LEV, Animals on Campus, and New and Expectant Mothers safety standards. She has undertaken IOSH qualifications for Noise and Vibration monitoring since joining the team and can be contacted with requests for these services.
A resident of Cornwall, Rachel also provides an on the ground presence at the Penryn campus for part of the week.
Phill Windsor - Deputy Health and Safety Advisor
Phill joined the team in November 2021 and is the main contact for workshop health and safety matters. This includes providing support around machinery, including lifting equipment, dust/fumes and local exhaust ventilation, manual handling and noise and vibration.
Phill’s early career was in mineral and environmental engineering. He has worked widely in industry in waste and energy management and safety engineering roles.
Dr Russell Leek - Deputy Health and Safety Advisor
Russ is one of the University’s Biological Safety Officers and joined the Safety Team at Exeter in 2022. Russ has worked for several British universities during his career including Cardiff, London, and Oxford. Russ started his research career at Oxford University in 1990, working for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund which later became Cancer Research UK. He has published research covering angiogenesis, cytokine networks and tumour metabolism, mainly in the area of breast cancer. In 2015, he transitioned from research to specialise in laboratory health and safety management.
Bryan Underdown - Health and Safety Advisor
Bryan joined the team in November 2024 and is a Chartered member of IOSH with an extensive consultative experience in safety management. He is also an experienced safety trainer and auditor.
Having advised many specialist contractor companies, Bryan is able to provide support and advice on a wide range of safety issues based on practical experience.
He is the lead for laser safety and the contact for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (HLS).
Sara Wortley - Safety Systems Developer and Administrator
Sara is team lead for developing and administering digital solutions and database management and is the initial contact for data requests and reports.
