Health & Wellbeing
Renfrewshire Council · 5 February 2026
Back to Joint Consultative Board (Non-Teaching) — 5 February 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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OFFICIAL ___________________________________________________________________ To: Joint Consultative Board: Non-Teaching On: 5 February 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance and Resources ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Update. ___________________________________________________________________ Summary 1.1 This report provides an update on the Health, Safety and Wellbeing arrangements and performance of the Council since the last board in November 2025. 1.2 The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (as amended) place duties on the Council to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health of their employees and others that could be affected by work activities. 1.3 This report demonstrates the Council’s continued commitment to ensuring the health, safety, welfare, and wellbeing of our employees. It supports the aims of the “Our People, Our Future” People Strategy, the Councils’ Values and contributes to the delivery of best value outcomes. _________________________________________________________________ 2.0 Recommendations 2.1 Members are asked to note the following health, safety and wellbeing activities and performance of the Council. _____________________________________________________
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OFFICIAL Background 3.0 Health, Safety and Wellbeing Activities and Performance 3.1 The Council continues to work closely with key stakeholders, including Trade Unions, One Ren, RVJB, Scotland Excel, and the NHS, not only to review policies and guidance, but also to support health and safety planning and operational activities. This ensures alignment with statutory compliance and evolving business needs. 3.2 To ensure a collaborative approach to health and safety engagement with employees, the Corporate Health and Safety Committee (CHSC) continues to progress health and safety issues that cannot be resolved at Service level. The Committee has representation from all Services and Trade Unions. During the reporting period the CHSC is planned to meet again on 22 January 2026. 3.3 The Health and Safety team provides professional advice, guidance, and support to the Council’s construction activities and during the reporting period there were 5 construction site visits. The team continue to support major Council projects such as: The Renfrewshire House ramp works, Paisley Grammar new build, Dargavel Primary School, Thistle Primary School, St James’s Primary School, Park Mains High Schools as well as other smaller projects within the school estate. 3.4 The Council’s Workplace Inspection Programme which looks at the welfare and safety arrangements across the Council’s estate has progressed since the last report to members, with the Council’s Health and Safety Team carrying out 4 site visits, which include site audits and support to the services management team. 3.5 The Health and Safety team ensures compliance with safety standards by assessing supplier documentation during the Council’s procurement process. Over this period, they examined 9 high-risk and 4 low-risk contracts. 3.6 The Council’s Health and Safety team continues to drive and progress the fire, health, and safety arrangements within the Corporate Fire Working Group. During the period, the meeting on 12 January focussed on electric vehicle charging arrangements, ventilation systems and control of contractors. 3.7 The Council remains committed to reducing workplace incidents as far as is reasonably practicable and actively encourages employees to contribute to achieving this important objective. Each Service Health and Safety Committee or Group, which includes employee representatives, is tasked with focusing on the underlying causes of incidents. In addition, weekly meetings between Service Health and Safety Coordinators and the Health and Safety team support the development of strategies and local accident reduction programmes. 3.8 During the reporting period, 317 health and safety incidents were recorded. The main causes included violence and aggression, slips, trips, falls, and manual handling. All incidents were investigated, with preventative actions implemented to reduce recurrence. Additionally, 4 RIDDOR reports were submitted to the Health and Safety Executive. Unfortunately, on Friday 9th January, there was fatal incident involving one of the Council’s demolition contractors. We have been working with the Police and the HSE on this.
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OFFICIAL 3.9 Protecting the mental health and wellbeing of our workforce continues to be a key priority, as outlined in the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan. The number of Council-trained and accredited Mental Health First Aiders remains at 91. Further training sessions for Environment, Housing and Infrastructure, Childrens Services and Health and Social care staff are planned for February 2026. 3.10 The Council works closely with its Occupational Health provider to deliver its Health Surveillance programme. The programme provides focussed support to employees within Environment, Housing and Infrastructure service. During the reporting period there were 72 appointments, covering a mixture of audio, hand arm vibration, skin, respiratory and workplace functionality. There have been no RIDDOR reportable diseases reported to the HSE during the reporting period. 3.11 Data support for insurance claims, subject access requests (SAR), and freedom of information (FOI) requests continues to be a key function of the Health and Safety team. A total of 7 SAR/FOI requests were processed during the period, primarily concerning workplace incidents and accidents. 3.12 The Health and Safety Team played a central role in supporting the Council’s Corporate Events Plan by actively leading on risk management and safety planning for the Christmas Lights Switch-On events across Paisley, Johnstone, Linwood, and Renfrew. The team also supported the St Mirren FC celebration in the town centre. Their involvement ensured that all events were delivered safely and in compliance with statutory requirements.
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OFFICIAL Implications of the Report 1. Financial - Continuing to improve health and safety performance will reduce accidents/occupational ill health/claims and associated costs. 2. People & Organisational Development - This report supports the Council’s commitment to the health, safety, and wellbeing of employees. 3. Community/Council Planning – This report and plan supports the objectives contained within the community and council plans. 4. Legal - The Council will continue to comply with current health and safety legislation. 5. Property/Assets - Having a robust health and safety management system in place and an effective risk control system can reduce the risk of property damage and potential loss of premises which could be caused by fire for example. 6. Information Technology - Not applicable. 7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report as it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety - This report supports and demonstrates the Council’s commitment to ensuring effective health and safety management. 9. Procurement - Finance and Resources, People & Organisational Development Health and Safety Section has a valuable input to the Council’s procurement system. 10. Risk - This report supports the overarching management of risk within Renfrewshire Council. 11. Privacy Impact - Not applicable. 12. Climate Risk – Good health and safety practices support environmental controls. 13. Children’s rights – Not applicable 14. Cosla Policy Position- Not applicable _______________________________________________________ List of Background Papers- None ________________________________________________________________ Author: Steven Fanning, Strategic Health, and Safety Manager steven.fanning@renfrewshire.gov.uk Tel. 07747790211