Hazard site inspection 2025

Every two years since 2003, the Central Equal Opportunities Officer has asked members of TU Dortmund University to report places on campus that make them feel unsafe, are poorly lit or difficult to see, or could actually pose a danger. What was new this time was the call to specifically report places that are not barrier-free. As the campus is a central location where students, employees and visitors spend a lot of time, everyone should feel equally comfortable. Once again this year, the number of reports of dangerous areas - such as loose floor tiles or defects in buildings - was rather low. Insufficient lighting, defective doors or dangerous traffic situations, on the other hand, were reported more frequently. It also became clear that accessibility is an important issue for TU members: eleven of the 28 defects reported on campus concerned a lack of accessibility.

The issue of accessibility was also a recurring theme during the two-hour inspection. Current accessibility standards are taken into account when renovating buildings on campus, such as the new university library. Unfortunately, however, the old buildings cannot be retrofitted so easily. Defects, such as stair railings that are not continuous, can therefore only be gradually replaced in the course of necessary renovations.

Defective lamps and electric door openers were another problem this year. These defects are being rectified by Corporate Center Construction and Facility Management.

As in previous years, there were also a number of reports relating to off-campus locations. For example, the area under the mensa bridge. The Dortmund City Council will decide on the barrier-free design of the bus stops on 13.02.2025. Other reports relating to locations outside the campus will be forwarded to the relevant authorities.

The protocol of the inspection provides an overview of all the locations visited.

If members of TU Dortmund University notice defects - such as defective lights - or sources of danger on campus independently of the hazard inspection, these can be reported (24h) to the control room on (0231) 755 3333. In the event of defective door openers or blockages on the tactile guide strips, the janitors can also be informed directly. The site plan of the janitors' areas of responsibility can help you to find the relevant contact person more quickly.

If students and staff feel unsafe on campus after 6 p.m. or at the weekend, they can make use of an escort service provided by the security service to accompany them from the building to their car parking space or to the bus stop. This can be requested, for example, via the service point in the library, at the Co-Learning Space next to the seminar room building or directly from the security service.

The technical control room and security staff are present at the central gates of the main buildings during opening hours and can be contacted in the event of danger or for assistance. In emergencies, TU members can use the "SOS emergency tile" in the TU App. Relevant telephone numbers (fire department, police, control center) are listed there. Other emergency numbers, such as those of the central gate or other important contact persons, are also linked on the TU website.

Cameras were recently found in women's toilets at the University of Duisburg-Essen (Essen campus). TU Dortmund University took this incident as an opportunity to check the toilet facilities on campus. No evidence of similar incidents was found. If members of TU Dortmund University notice any anomalies, they can also contact the staff of the Central Advice Centre for Protection against Discrimination and Sexualized Violence (SchuDS).