Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Renfrewshire Council · 23 April 2026
Back to Joint Consultative Board (Non-Teaching) — 23 April 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: 23 April 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance and Resources ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Activities 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 February 2026. 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 Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, including Trade Unions, One Ren, RVJB, Scotland Excel, and the NHS, supports the review of policies and guidance and the delivery of effective health and safety planning and operations, ensuring compliance with statutory duties and evolving organisational 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. 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 4 construction site visits. The team continue to support major Council projects such as: Paisley Grammar new build, Thistle Primary School, Park Mains High Schools as well as other smaller projects across Council assets. 3.4 Since the previous report to Members, the Council’s Workplace Inspection Programme has continued to progress, with the Health and Safety Team completing 22 site visits to assess welfare and safety arrangements and provide assurance on compliance with statutory and corporate requirements across the Council estate. 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 6 high-risk and 3 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 13 April 2026 focussed on electric vehicle charging arrangements, vapes and lithium batteries. 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. Quarter 4 2026 and annual accident /incident statistics for 25/26 will be presented at the next JCB on 11 June 2026. 3.8 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 56 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. 3.9 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
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OFFICIAL team. A total of 8 SAR, 11 FOI requests were processed during the period, primarily concerning workplace incidents and accidents. 3.10 The Health and Safety Team play a central role in supporting the Council’s Corporate Events Plan by actively leading on risk management and safety planning for the year. The first major event supported will be the Food and Drink festival at the end of April. 3.11 The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out a visit to Renfrewshire Council as part of its Local Authority Intervention Programme focusing on Hand-Arm Vibration. The visit was supported by colleagues from Environmental Housing & Infrastructure and the Council’s Occupational Health provider. The HSE inspector reviewed the Council’s arrangements for managing vibrating work equipment, including health surveillance, exposure assessments, and the provision of training and information to managers and operatives. The inspector confirmed they were satisfied with the Council’s approach, and no further action was required.
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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 - The activities detailed in the report supports the Council’s commitment to the health, safety, and wellbeing of employees. 3. Community/Council Planning – The activities detailed in the report support the Place objectives contained within the Community and Council plans. 4. Legal - The activities detailed in the report support the Council 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 – The ERP system continues to be the main recording system for incidents. 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 - The Finance and Resources, Health and Safety Section make a significant contribution to the effective management of risks within the Council’s procurement system. 10. Risk - The activities detailed in this report underpins the strategic management of risk across Renfrewshire Council. 11. Privacy Impact - Not applicable. 12. Climate Risk – Good health and safety practices contribute to effective 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