Health & Safety
Renfrewshire Council · 15 March 2023
Back to Joint Consultative Board (Non-Teaching) — 15 March 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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2 ___________________________________________________________________ To: Joint Consultative Board: Non-Teaching On: 15 March 2023 ___________________________________________________________________ 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. __________________________________________________________________ 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, HR, Health and Safety section and other council services. ________________________________________________________ 3. Background This section of the report details the activities undertaken since the last JCB. The report below focusses on the actions and activities to continue to support the council’s new ways of working plans. We continue to work closely with the communications team to ensure key messages to managers and employees are issued timeously to remind them of the requirements to keep safe.
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3 3.1 A risk-based review of all our policies and guidance documents is under way, we will prioritise a refresh of the documents in line with statutory compliance as well as business needs. The first topics that are being worked on include: • Accident reporting and investigation guidance • Manual handling guidance • Alcohol and substance use • Violence and aggression in the workplace guidance • Risk assessment guidance 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 9 high risk contracts and 3 low risk contracts. 3.3 During the period there have been 3 visits from the HSE, one in relation to the household waste intervention programme and 2 in relation to the management of asbestos in schools’ intervention programme. 3.4 There have been 2 meetings with Scottish Fire and Rescue (SFR) since the last JCB. The meetings are a result of SFR attending call outs to our premises. We discuss, where possible, improvements to the fire safety arrangements. 3.5 The Health and Safety team continue to review our blood borne virus documentation and this has been supported by face-to-face training in the Housing teams. 3.6 The Health and Safety team continue to produce health and wellbeing guidance and campaigns to support the workforce, we are currently working with our colleagues in Organisational Development to look at ways to get people more active. 3.7 The Health and Safety team continue to support the new ways of working arrangements being developed across the council. This includes reviewing floor plate designs and ventilation impacts. 3,8 The Health and Safety team continue to support the Council’s construction activities though scheduled monthly meetings with the property services team. Since the last JCB meeting the team continue to be involved in meetings/site visits for the Paisley Town Hall project and the Paisley Arts Centre project as well as other smaller projects. 3.9 The Health and Safety team continue to support the Underwood Road Depot upgrades.
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4 4.0 Since the last JCB, across the council there has been 848 courses delivered: Course Completion s Waste Recycling in Schools & Nurseries 17 Infection Prevention and Control (SCIE) 14 Promoting Positive Behaviour Legislation and Guidance 18 Display Screen Awareness DSE 272 Ladder Safety Awareness 20 Using the Lifepak Defibrillator 11 Remote Health and Safety Module 10 Manual Handling Module 16 Fire Module 47 Supporting Employees Experiencing Domestic Abuse 18 Accident & Incident Reporting (RIDDOR) 15 Guidance on Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020 17 Evacuation Process Renfrewshire House 313 Promoting Positive Behaviour in the Workplace (module 1) - Risk; Rights & Responsibilities 60 Total H&S course completions between 25 Jan 23 and 28.Feb 23: 848 ____________________________________________________________ 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 Planning – Community Care, Health & Well-being - We will improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of staff across services through the Healthy Working Lives programme. Empowering our Communities - We will promote learning and encourage employees to fulfil their individual potential and ensure that the council delivers high-quality services in the most effective and efficient way to meet the needs of local people. Greener - The E-management system will reduce the amount of paper used for risk assessment and accident forms. Safer and Stronger - Facilitating the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees by ensuring that appropriate policies and procedures are developed
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5 and adhered to, and that all legal requirements for health and safety are fulfilled. 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 email server system. 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 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. (Report author will arrange this). 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 ___________________________________________________________ Author: Steven Fanning Principal HR Adviser Mobile: 07747790210 Email: steven.fanning@renfrewshire.gov.uk