Agenda item

This report provides the Employment Committee with an overview of the Council’s Health & Safety Annual Report for 2022/23.

Members considered the Health and Safety Annual Report 2022/23 presented by David Vincent.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Mrs Davis referred to display screen working and asked what difference it makes if a staff member works from home or in the office. David Vincent responded that the DSE e-learning training covers both situations and a separate DSE risk assessment form will need to be completed, one for office work and one for home working, with any issues followed up once completed.

·         Councillor Nawaz stated it is evident that the Council shows a strong commitment but on the dissemination of training on health and safety by internet, how is it supervised and subsequently assessed to ensure that staff understand in detail the implications not just what to do but of possible errors in interpreting these rules, and then if there are any contraventions or accidents. He stated that 88 days absent sounds a lot but maybe with 291 staff it is not a huge amount, but it raises the question how are they compensated for, are they paid leave or sick leave and is there an insurance policy?  On the nature of accidents and specifically slips, trips and falls, which seem to be a constant, what does ‘hard objects’ mean? Would there not be an expectation to see improvements year on year and what measures are in place to further reduce these?

·         David Vincent responded that regarding internet training, there is in place the Health and Safety induction with a form that staff must go through with their supervisor, covering what training they will need. The form also identifies with managers additional training specific to that role, i.e., working at heights for staff in the workshop. He stated that this is followed up by the line manager and if there are any concerns for additional training or control measures, such as supervision, this will be offered until the staff member is confident. David Vincent added that when he undertakes audits, the courses are looked at to see who has had the training and what are the reasons if staff have not had training, which is followed up and discussed also at Health and Safety Panel.

·         Sam Anthony added that accident data is reviewed at the quarterly panel meetings where they also look at any lessons learned. Data is also captured on near misses, which are investigated to see if there are any additional training needs. Councillor Nawaz made the point that with all this in place there still does not seem to be a reduction in slips, trips and falls. David Vincent stated that in context there have been 8 accidents involving Refuse and Cleansing but considering the miles that they walk and the things they must deal with this is a low average and if these accidents happen there is a management investigation looking at why and what caused the accident. Peter Catchpole added that not everything is within the Council’s control as different hazards crop up, some roads have potholes or dropped kerbs and it is difficult to expect the numbers to go down as these conditions are not eliminated.  However, health and safety is taken seriously with improvements always being investigated on safety and better protection. He added that some of the Council’s operations are at the Port, which has a wet and dry side both providing danger areas, so effort is focused on these. However, safety equipment such as safety footwear is given to staff to accommodate the changing weather and better protective gloves are issued in areas where sharp and needles are involved. There is also a focus on near misses, encouraging more near misses to be reported to avoid the major accidents from happening. Peter Catchpole suggested that the data presented could be changed to show the hours worked in these areas to highlight how low the numbers are. Councillor Nawaz agreed the work put in place is to be commended.

·         Sam Anthony commented regarding the 88 days lost and the cost incurred to the Council, most employees are entitled to occupational sick pay which is time limited up to six months by a robust sickness policy that is in place, within four weeks there is a home visit, with signposting to occupational health and their own GP for support.

·         Councillor Nawaz asked if there was an overall cost figure that could be shared. Sam Anthony said there is not an overall cost figure available, but it can be provided. Peter Catchpole added that it would be a good idea to add this to future reports.

·         Councillor Mrs Davis commented on the number of trained first aiders, with only one covering the business centres and as there are two business centres she felt there should be at least two first aiders. David Vincent responded that the business centres are run by the My Fenland Team and the staff are rotated around. Councillor Mrs Davis said that she would like to see a fully trained first aider rather than one trained in the basics in both centres to cover any emergency that may arise. Peter Catchpole made the point that at the business centres the offices are leased out to other businesses who have their own first aid plans in place, and this is something the Council does not offer within the lease agreement. David Vincent added there are new defibrillators fitted at every building with instructions for all to use and ICT staff have had working at height training for when working on servers placed on the walls in the building.

·         Councillor Mrs Davis referred to Section 3.7 of the report, Conclusions from Accident Data, which stated that training and other interventions remain in place to address the areas of highest injury. She said nothing informs members in the report what changes have been made to cover these areas. David Vincent acknowledged this and stated this information can be added to the risk assessments for next year.

·         Councillor Benney stated this is a very good report, many companies would be proud to have a report with results as good as this. He feels looking at the number of employees and range of services the Council provides the accident numbers are very small and the fact that they are not higher shows what is in place is working. However, there is no room for complacency, which he acknowledged is not evident, and the data shows how good the Health and Safety record is and the work done is commendable.

·         Councillor Gowler said he agreed with Councillor Benney. Looking at the benchmarking against East Cambridgeshire and Cambridgeshire County Council, Fenland District Council is much on the same level as East Cambridgeshire, and asked if it would be possible to expand the comparison with private organisations such as factories. Peter Catchpole answered it is very difficult to benchmark Fenland District Council against another private company as there is nothing out there that compares to what is offered by the Council, but it is worth benchmarking against a wider field of councils.

·         Councillor Gowler expressed concern that in 2022/23 only four near misses were reported and stressed he would like to see this area improved as it is important to learn from the near misses to prevent accidents happening in the future. David Vincent agreed and stated that at the start of this year eight near misses have been reported already so it is looking promising.

·         Councillor Mrs Davis commended the work undertaken.

·         Councillor Imafidon asked if there is a way of specifying which areas are being looked at. David Vincent responded that this was possible.

·         Councillor Christy agreed that it is a good idea to concentrate on the near misses and make changes accordingly.

Proposed by Councillor Gowler, seconded by Councillor Mrs Davis and AGREED to note the Council’s Health and Safety performance for 2022/23.