Health, Safety and Wellbeing Activities
Renfrewshire Council · 21 November 2024
Back to Joint Consultative Board (Non-Teaching) — 21 November 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
1 ___________________________________________________________________ To: Joint Consultative Board: Non-Teaching On: 21 November 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance and Resources ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Health, Safety and Wellbeing Activities ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary This report outlines the activities which have taken place since the last meeting of the Joint Consultative Board: Non-Teaching in September 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 the Council’s Health and Safety team in collaboration with other council services. _________________________________________________________ 3 Background 3.1 As part of the Council’s procurement process, the Health and Safety team review documentation from suppliers when they tender for Council contracts. During the reporting period, the team assessed 1 high risk contract and 3 low risk contracts.
Page 2
2 3.2 The Health and Safety team progress health and safety arrangements by driving the corporate fire working group. The arrangements across the school estate, including those properties managed by Amey, have been assessed and are deemed sufficient. The group is monitoring the progress of remedial works in the adult care homes, Renfrewshire House, and the Underwood Rd Depot. Work is also ongoing to develop the Camis system to record fire risk assessments. 3.3 Supporting the corporate fire group actions, the Health and Safety team have developed a lithium battery awareness course which is now available on I Learn. We are working with Trading Standards teams around the quality of goods and information to the public, and also, we need to ensure that people are aware of the condition of the batteries in preloved items. We are also working with the housing teams who have distributed communications to tenants regarding charging batteries in common areas. 3.4 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. 3.5 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 the JCB, with the Council’s Health and Safety Team carrying out 12 site visits and 4 audit visits. 3.6 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. 1 has been processed since the last JCB. 3.7 In support of the Council’s Corporate Events Plan, the Health and Safety Team were involved in the planning and delivery of major events such as the Halloween festival. Upcoming events include Winterfest and local Christmas lights switch on’s. 3.8 The Council’s health surveillance programme is delivered though our occupational health team and the current focus has been on the School Technicians and Music Instructors within Childrens Services. The next steps will include refreshing the noise risk assessments associated with their roles. 3.9 To support employee wellbeing, Rentalks were delivered to the workforce in the reporting period providing information and guidance on menopause and men’s health. The Council also supported World Menopause Month in October
Page 3
3 signposting the workforce to support available and general awareness. Future Rentalks planned include Improving your work life balance, safer gambling support and CBT. 3.10 Protecting the mental health and wellbeing of our workforce remains a key priority as defined in the Council’s new Health and Wellbeing Plan. The number of Council trained and accredited mental health first aiders has now increased to 91. The Council’s mental health first aiders support our workforce by initially providing a safe space to discuss mental health concerns and available specialist support in areas such as financial or psychological wellbeing. 3.11 As part of our ongoing commitment to health and safety assurance, the Council is currently working in partnership with Savills, to carry out an external health check on the health and safety management arrangements and performance, at both a corporate and a service level. It is anticipated that the health check will be complete in the coming weeks, with an update on the outcomes being provided to members in the next progress report. ___________________________________________________________________ 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)
Page 4
4 (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 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