Developments in Health & Safety
Renfrewshire Council · 19 September 2024
Back to Joint Consultative Board (Non-Teaching) — 19 September 2024 and its agenda
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2 ___________________________________________________________________ To: Joint Consultative Board: Non-Teaching On: 19 September 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance and Resources ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Developments in Health, Safety and Wellbeing ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary This report outlines the developments which have taken place since the last meeting of the Joint Consultative Board: Non-Teaching in June 2024. 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” strategy document, the councils’ values and contributes to the delivery of best value outcomes. _________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 This report is for information only and to note that this is a retrospective record of health, safety and well-being activities undertaken by Finance and Resources, People and OD, Health and Safety section in collaboration with other council services. _________________________________________________________ 3. Background ______________________________________________________
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3 4. Background 3.1 We continue to review our policies and guidance documents in line with statutory compliance as well as business needs. As part of this process, we collaborate with the Trade Unions and service representatives. 3.2 The Health and Safety team continue to evaluate contractor’s and supplier’s health and safety documentation when they apply for contracts with Renfrewshire Council. Since the last meeting we have assessed 30 high risk contracts and 5 low risk contracts. 3.3 There have been no visits by external enforcers (HSE, SFR, SEPA) since the last JCB. 3.4 The Health and Safety team continue to progress health and safety arrangements by collaborating with the corporate fire working group. The current work is focusing on developing the Camis system to record fire risk assessments. 3.5 The Health and Safety team, collaborating with local managers and the occupational health team, have risk assessed some of the priority groups in the council who need Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. The council’s health surveillance programme continues to be delivered though our occupational health team and the programme is focussing on the EH&I teams within Neighbourhood Services and the Early Learning teams within Childrens Services. 3.6 The Health and Safety team continue to support managers with specialist risk assessments, since the last JCB there has been 3 specialists return to work assessments. 3.7 The Health and Safety team continue to support the council’s construction activities. Since the last JCB meeting, the team have been involved in meetings/site visits for the following projects: Paisley Grammar, City Deal, Castlehead High school activities as well as other smaller projects within the school estate. 3.8 There have been 27 sites visited and 5 safety inspections by the Health and Safety team since the last JCB. 3.9 The corporate work at height safety group met towards the end of July, with the focus moving to refreshing the guidance. 4.0 The Health and Safety team are regularly requested to respond to FOI/SAR requests on behalf of the council in relation to health and safety issues. 9 have been processed since the last JCB.
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4 4.1 The Health and Safety team continue to support the Events team, the current activities include Barshaw day, Sma Shot day and other summer events. We also continue to support with the winter events planning, such as Halloween and Winterfest. 4.2 The Health and Safety team meet with service health and safety coordinators weekly to review incidents within their service and to agree preventative actions. This review includes any incidents that may be deemed reportable to the Health and Safety Executive or other enforcing agency. 4.3 The Corporate Health and Safety Committee met on 6 June 2024. A new frequency of meeting has been issued. This allows us to provide more relevant data following the preceding quarter. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - Continuing to improve health and safety performance will reduce accidents/occupational ill health, claims and the costs associated with this. 2. HR & Organisational Development This report supports the Councils commitment to the health, safety and well-being of Renfrewshire Council employees. 3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is well – this supports our workforce who live in Renfrewshire. • Our Renfrewshire is safe – good health and safety practices provide safe services. 4. Legal - This report will support the Council’s continued compliance with current health and safety legislation. 5. Property/Assets -Ensures compliance. 6. Information Technology -The E-management systems require to be facilitated through the Council’s Businessworld system. 7. Equality & Human Rights - (Please select the statement applicable to the recommendations contained within this board report and delete remaining statements) (a) 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
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5 infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because for example 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 document supports and demonstrates the council’s commitment to ensuring effective health, safety and well- being management. 9. Procurement - Demonstrates compliance and governance. 10. Risk low impact as legal and statutory requirements are being maintained. 11. Privacy Impact – not applicable to this report. 12. Climate Risk - none 13. Children’s Rights - none 14. Cosla Policy Position - None _______________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) None ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Steven Fanning, Strategic Lead Partner (Health & Safety) Finance and Resources, telephone 07747790211 e-mail steven.fanning@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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