Agenda item

Gary Summerfield (Health and Safety Technical Specialist) introduced the report which provided an overview of the work undertaken in 2021/22 to promote the Council’s corporate Health and Safety objectives, including key achievements in 2021/22 and areas of focus for the year ahead.

Barnaby Briggs (Assistant Chief Fire Officer) provided a summary of the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service (WFRS) Health, Safety and Wellbeing Annual Review 2021/22 which was included as an appendix to the report.

In response to Councillor Gifford, Gary Summerfield advised that health and safety legislation had not yet caught up with the shift to agile working. Where an employee was asked to work from home, technically this constituted an office environment, and the employer had a responsibility for that individual’s safety. He emphasised that the employee also had a responsibility for the safety of their home environment. Priority had been given to ensuring that Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments were undertaken to improve the safety of those working from home. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) was also appropriate in circumstances when staff had removed electronic equipment from office locations to support home working. The Council had a responsibility to ensure that this equipment was safe and well maintained.

In response to the Chair, Gary Summerfield advised that a risk assessment and DSE assessment were required for home working. It was not practicable for the Health and Safety Team to visit home working locations to make an assessment. Instead, guidance was provided to staff. The Council’s principles for Health and Safety would be updated once the anticipated changes to national legislation were made.

In response to Councillor Hammersley, Gary Summerfield advised that, following a report of an accident or personal injury, an investigation was undertaken. This would seek to ascertain the cause of the incident, and whether it had resulted from a management issue or a ‘deviation from arrangements’ (where an individual had neglected to follow recommended processes). In cases where personal injury had resulted from a failure to follow guidance, the Authority was not held to be at fault. Training was required to ensure that all staff were aware of Health and Safety standards.

Councillor Kettle highlighted the challenges associated with risk assessments for home working. He queried whether it was reasonable for the Authority to be held responsible for accidents occurring at home.

Gary Summerfield advised that any incidents would be examined on a case-by-case basis. If an accident had resulted from equipment which had been supplied by the Council, the investigation would seek ascertain whether the equipment had been properly maintained and used safely.

In respect of the WFRS Health, Safety and Wellbeing Annual Review, Councillor Millar expressed her thanks for the valued work undertaken by the Fire and Rescue Service.

In response to Councillor Millar, Gary Summerfield underlined the importance of Near Miss reports. By monitoring near misses, the Council could anticipate emerging trends to prevent serious injury or harm. Technological innovations would support increased reporting of near misses, enabling investigation and the introduction of control measures.

Resolved:

That the Committee:

     1.          Endorses the Annual Review;

     2.          Supports the Council’s proposed Health and Safety key focus areas for 2022/ 2023 as set out in Section 3.0 and within the Our People – Focus on Corporate Health & Safety Annual Review 2021 / 2022.