Health & Safety Update - A Key to 2009

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1 Report title Agenda item Annual Health and Safety Update and Monitoring Report 2008/09 16 Meeting Human Resources, Equalities and Health and Safety Panel Authority Date 28 May July 2009 Report by Document Number Director of Operational Policy and Training FEP 1399 Public Summary This report includes details on performance for 2008/09 against: the corporate health and safety indicators: a number of key legislative compliance issues addressed in 2008/09 national work and awards. the Health and Safety Services rolling three year action plan and the annual action plan for 2009/10. LFB has not only achieved but exceeded the 10% reduction target in two of the Brigade s performance indicators: LFPI 130 working days lost to sickness due to work-related injuries 17% reduction. LFPI 133 Injuries, deaths and dangerous occurrences reported under RIDDOR 11% reduction. The 10% reduction target was not met for LFPI 132 Road traffic accidents involving appliances. LFB has repeated its success of last year and has been awarded the RoSPA Gold Award for Occupational Health & Safety; a well recognised and valuable external benchmarking exercise, against all industries. This clearly demonstrates LFB s continuing commitment to maintaining standards of health and safety practice. Recommendations 1. That the report is received. 2. HRE Panel and Authority are recommended to note: (i) LFB s health and safety performance during 2008/09 and the summary of the work of the Health and Safety Services department; (ii) the Health & Safety Action Plan for 2009/10 included as Appendix 2 of this report. 1

2 1. Introduction 1.1 Good health and safety management is good business and remains a critical issue for the Authority. The Health and Safety Services (HSS) department is now well established following a fundamental review and restructure in April The department has introduced a number of new initiatives during the course of 2008/09 that together with local management action have brought about a continuous improvement, most notably in Service Delivery (SD). 1.2 This monitoring report tracks progress during the full year and includes statistical data for the period April 2008 to March A copy of the new rolling three year Health and Safety (H&S) Action Plan is included as Appendix 1 and supporting statistics in Appendices 4, 5 and 6. This report also includes an update on compliance and preventive initiatives and interventions, health and safety management leadership, audit, workforce liaison (health and safety committees), liaison with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), working with the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) and H&S training. 2. Organisational Performance 2.1 The Brigade s performance indicators for 2008/09 include three specifically related to health and safety performance: LFPI 130 Working days lost to sickness due to work-related injuries LFPI 132 Road traffic accidents involving fire appliances LFPI 133 Injuries, deaths and dangerous occurrences reported under RIDDOR 1 The performance data for 2008/09 is set out in Figure LFPI 130 Working days lost due to work-related injuries The majority of accidents do not incur lost time and are not reported under RIDDOR. The RIDDOR accidents are only those resulting in more than 3 consecutive days sickness absence from work, accidents resulting in death or Major Injury and Dangerous Occurrences, (the latter two categories are precisely defined under RIDDOR). Data for working days lost due to work-related injuries is shown in Figure 1. At year end there was a 17% reduction in days lost due to work-related injuries (13,126 including time on light duties), exceeding the Brigade s 10% reduction target. In addition, 28% of the lost days were light duty days (3,429) incurring less cost. The number of actual days lost in Q4 was lower than those for the same quarter for both 2007/08 and 2006/07. The severity of an injury influences the period of injury absence, but it is also a reflection of how staff are managed back to work. The actions taken by the Brigade to reduce sickness absence, whether injury related or not, are reported regularly to the Human Resources, Equalities and Health & Safety Panel. This is one of the key targets set by Government and HSE; i.e. to achieve a 30% reduction in working days lost from work-related injury and ill health by LFPI 130(b) Working days lost per 100,000 workers due to work-related injuries At year end 2008/09, there was a 17% reduction in the rate of working days lost per 100,000 employees due to work-related injuries (including time on light duties), exceeding the Brigade s 10% reduction target and a 35% reduction in this rate at Q4 2008/09 compared with Q4 2007/08. It is this rate that the Government and the HSE s Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy included in the targets for reduction by The target set was a 30% reduction in this rate of days lost over a 10 year period, which we are currently on target to achieve. 1 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

3 2.4 LFPI 132 Road Traffic Accidents involving fire appliances LFB s 10% reduction target year on year for total vehicle accidents was not achieved and there was a 7% increase at year end. However, the increase in trend has slowed from the 13% increase in 2007/08. The trend in the type of vehicle accidents remains unchanged compared with 2007/08; i.e. there are more traffic accidents when driving in non-emergency circumstances than there are when driving to emergencies. Year on year the total accidents not under blue light conditions increased from 492 to 522 events, of which reversing events accounted for 108 (22%) and 70 (13%) events respectively. However, 90 (11%) of total vehicle events were not attributed to LFB drivers in 2008/09 compared with 75 (10%) in 2007/08, as these occurred while the LFB vehicles were stationary. The vehicle fleet increased by 2% from 473 vehicles in 2007/08 to 484 vehicles in 2008/09, (excluding New Dimension [ND] vehicles supplied by Communities and Local Government [CLG]), which increased the potential for vehicle accidents to occur due to increased vehicle movements. A consistent number of traffic accidents (RTAs) particularly reversing occurs on our premises in non-emergency circumstances. In 2008/09 there were 14 such events that accounted for 13% of all vehicle events not under blue light conditions/on station. All vehicle events have the potential to cause reputational risk therefore accidents are rigorously investigated providing LFB with management information to prevent a reoccurrence. Where appropriate management action and training is provided for drivers. A new Safety Matters publication was introduced for all staff in October This is a six monthly publication to highlight H&S issues that have a significant impact on our performance. The first issue focussed on issues associated with vehicles; principally reversing vehicle accidents, driver s daily checks (especially wheel nuts), and mobile phones and driver safety. Reference was made to a new vehicle manoeuvring and reversing procedure to remind all staff of the safe way to manoeuvre and reverse Brigade vehicles. All station based staff were required to read the policies and procedures and record this on their training records by the date specified. The introduction of this intervention reinforced station based training, which together with local management action has contributed to 38 fewer reversing vehicle events occurring in 2008/09, a 35% reduction compared with the previous year. HSS continues to provide information on all types of vehicle accidents to Service Delivery (SD) Deputy Assistant Commissioners (DACs) and Borough Commanders (BCs) and monthly updates on reversing vehicle events are now provided to both Assistant Commissioners (ACs) in SD. 2.5 LFPI 133 Injuries, deaths and dangerous occurrences reported under RIDDOR RIDDOR reported accidents Summary data for events reported under RIDDOR is shown in Figure 1, with more detailed data in Appendix 4. In 2008/09, RIDDOR events were 11% lower than in 2007/08 exceeding the 10% year on year reduction target. RIDDOR events have significantly reduced by 34% over the last five years, since 2003/04. The majority of the RIDDOR events, 94%, were short term absences in the over three day HSE reportable category and were largely due to slips/trips/falls (60) and manual handling (46). There were 12 Major Injuries, of which 10 were due to slips, trips and falls and the remaining 2 were caused by striking against fixed objects. Unusually, three >3 day events resulted from physical assaults by members of the public. There were only 2 Dangerous Occurrences, both of which were associated with the use of breathing apparatus (BA) and reported as distress to wearers (DTW), comprising 1% of all RIDDOR events in 2008/09. This has reduced by 8 events compared with 2007/08. Manual handling RIDDOR events reduced from 28% (60 events) in 2007/08 (compared with the National Fire and Rescue Services (NFRS) rate of 37% in 2007/08) to 23% (46 events) in 2008/09. Please see Appendix 6 Figures 2a and 2b for benchmarking RIDDOR accidents against national statistics produced by HSE. In real terms this is a 23% reduction year on year, maintaining our position as a lead in the NFRS. Manual handling training remains a high priority in LFB with 99% of all staff having completed this training. However, to sustain our progress and improvement, an article in the second edition of Safety Matters in 3

4 April 2009 will place further emphasis on this issue. Food preparation and kitchen duties generated 3 RIDDOR events in 2008/09 compared with 7 in 2007/08, which included one burn caused by steam and two cuts that occurred during washing up and food preparation. Fitness training RIDDOR events have reduced from 15 in 2007/08 to 11 in 2008/09. These events resulted from individual behaviours rather than failure of gym equipment. Given the large number of operational staff and the high volume of fitness training undertaken, this is a relatively low incidence rate. Initial fitness training delivered at Southwark Training Centre (STC) along with the regular H & S inspections at stations has contributed to maintaining a this low level of safety event. Slips, trips and falls remain our largest cause of RIDDOR accidents and the total number of these events has increased from 147 in 2007/08 to 160 in 2008/09, of which half were RIDDOR reportable events and 47 of these events occurred on Brigade premises compared with 28 in 2007/08. There was a random spread of these slip/trip/fall events across premises in all boroughs and at some external training locations. However, the principal locations within fire stations where these events occurred were staircases, appliance bays and station yards. Currently, HSS is working with SD to look at ways of further reducing these events, by making better use of the established premises H&S inspections (in line with Brigade Policy 510) and audit findings to ensure that future preventive inspections remove any potential slip/trip hazards. An article in the second edition of Safety Matters in April 2009 will place greater emphasis on this issue and provides further best practice information from HSE, together with a reminder of their See it Sort it! campaign slogan. Quarterly performance meetings have been scheduled between Area DACs and HSS GMs to discuss health and safety performance within their respective Areas. Accidents overall The overall number of Brigade personal safety events (including near-misses) in 2008/09 totalled 751, which is 16% lower than in 2007/08. The accident incidence rate per 100,000 employees is shown in Appendix 5 and the previously clear downward trend in these numbers over the twelve month rolling averages continues for most groups except Group 6 Control Officers and Group 7 Craft and Manual (which includes Cooks), both of which have small and diminishing populations, such that even a small number of events will have a disproportionate effect on the statistics. The outcomes of data analysis depend critically upon the quality of data entered on the system and the timely completion of accident investigations. HSS supplies a list of Safety Event Reporting Database (SERD) entries incomplete after 14 days to the Area performance management teams for information and action. By year end this has resulted in a visible improvement in the processing times for these reports, but HSS GMs will monitor and feed back to DACs when SMs do not meet the policy standards. During the course of the year certain single events can impact adversely on overall accident statistics, e.g. 14 staff sustained whiplash injuries in a single event involving 2 fire appliances responding to a fire call. There is no evidence of escalation of such events that would indicate a trend. The Head of HSS has drafted revised H&S governance proposals which are currently being considered by the Corporate Management Board (CMB). The proposal is for a Health and Safety Strategy Board (HSSB) to replace the Health, Safety & Environment Strategy Board (HSESB), following the transfer of environment and sustainable development to Resources Directorate in The role of this board will be to monitor and introduce suitable policy and forward planning arrangements to ensure continuous improvement. In addition, H&S information from safety event investigations is fed into the Operational Directorates Co-ordination Board (ODCB) in support of the production of Operational News. This liaison meeting also reviews the Senior Accident Investigations (SAIs) to direct and agree the management action 4

5 plans. Through a more structured programme of work HSS GMs will provide H&S support to the DACs in the SD Areas, centred on quarterly one to one H&S performance meetings. HSS is already developing improved and targeted performance information for SD Directorate Management Board (DMB), through closer liaison at strategic level with the Assistant Commissioners in SD. Accidents during Operational Activities In 2008/09 there were 288 personal injury events during operational activities compared with 306 in 2007/08. Only 66 personal injury events occurred on the incident ground specifically during firefighting activities which is a reduction on 2007/08 where 71 injuries occurred on the incident ground. This is a very low incidence rate bearing in mind the potential severity of the risk associated with operational activities. In 2008/09 the principal causes for both RIDDOR and non-lost time (NLT) accidents were: Burns (8 RIDDOR, 10 NLT) majority from steam burns or molten substances falling onto exposed skin. Crews have been reminded to wear PPE appropriately. Slips/trips/falls (14 RIDDOR, 4 NLT) on uneven or wet ground and over debris. Crews have been instructed to take more care. Manual handling (7 RIDDOR, 4 NLT) involving making up hose, and removing casualties. Crews have been instructed to undertake refresher manual handling training. Struck against fixed or by moving objects (4 RIDDOR, 4 NLT) was mainly falling debris (plaster) or as a result of undertaking forced entry. Crews have been reminded of the dangers when working in unsafe structures and to use the correct equipment and techniques for forced entry. Exposure to hazardous substances (1 RIDDOR) was due to smoke inhalation at an incident. Crews have been reminded to wear the prescribed PPE for the task, as required by their dynamic risk assessment. Contact with sharp object (3 NLT) minor cuts caused by glass, nails or sharp edges of buildings. Crews have been reminded to wear correct PPE and not to remove it until safe to do so. Remedial and preventive measures were addressed in the investigations and, where relevant, information was provided to the Operational Review Team (ORT), which now works closely with HSS. Information from HSS investigations is included as part of the production of Operational News, which is issued to all operational personnel to highlight areas of concern and provide station based training interventions. All of the above will also be addressed through articles on preventing slip, trip fall events, manual handling and the fundamental principles of risk assessment, which have been included in the April 2009 edition of Safety Matters. The Dynamic Intelligent Operational Training (DIOT) process is continuing to identify training needs and provide station training packages targeted at specific risks. This process has made a significant contribution to the safety of our workforce on the incident ground. The analysis of data from incidents, health and safety audits, and safety event investigations is used to assess the level of risk posed by the complete range of operational activities. The statistics and trends identified from this process are reviewed quarterly at the ODCB, headed by the Deputy Commissioner and Director OP&T. The findings from the quarterly audits of the effectiveness of training interventions fed back to this review group during 2008/09 have helped to introduce improvements in performance. Risk information is used to evaluate existing centrally delivered training content and support station based staff by the provision of centrally produced training packs. The DIOT process clearly links to the monitoring requirements of HSG 65 Successful Health and Safety Management by providing a system to measure operational activities against plans, objectives and performance standards. The Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA) process is an integral component of the Incident Decision Making Model, which compliments and underpins the National Incident Command System (NICS). As such, DRA training is embedded in all of the incident management training interventions that are currently in use within LFB. The DRA package is regularly updated to reflect the operational risks and themes highlighted 5

6 through the DIOT process. The DRA package also forms part of LFB s Best Practice Assessment (BPA) interventions and is similarly regularly updated. 3. Compliance and Preventive Initiatives & Interventions The following sections provide detail on essential core business and relate to the legislative compliance element of LFB s Health and Safety Management System. 3.1 Noise at Work The Control of Noise at Work procedure, associated guidance, and personal issue ear defenders have been in place for over two years. During this time there have been no reports of hearing injury during operational activities. During 2008/09 the competent persons for noise at work investigated a number of complaints of noise in offices, which were found not to come within the remit of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations However, distracting noise was an issue under the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations 1992 and issues for correction were passed to line managers to be addressed through either IT or Property Services. A number of noise surveys were also completed for the purpose of identifying suitable sites for the installation of forced entry equipment training rigs. Other work included: An investigation into possible variation in results between the hearing test booths on the mobile health unit and the static booths at the OHU offices which identified discrepancies in background noise levels that could distort results. A full noise survey was undertaken at Protective Equipment Group (PEG) and recommendations for enclosing a number of operations were made to management (see Appendix 3). The report on fire alarm sounder noise levels was submitted to the BSI Committee considering amendments to the current standards for fire alarms. The recommendations in the report are being followed up together with other issues by the CFOA Representatives, one of whom is an LFB manager. Property Services has progressed the replacement of the 46 existing portable electric generators at fire stations (FEP 1138 refers), 27 generators have been replaced by year end 2008/09 and 12 will be replaced in quarter one 2009/10, the remainder will be replaced as part of planned refurbishments, with new fixed generator installations or as part of the PFI programme for new stations. The replacement generators will comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and every effort will be made to meet the noise emission level of 45 db(a) at our boundary set out in LFB s Ambient Noise Community Neighbour Policy (347). The replacement generator has allowed a technical refresh which will remove the need to start the generator with a cranking handle thus removing an identified manual handling hazard. Noise monitoring measurements will be undertaken in 2009/2010 to ensure the installations are correct and compliant with the Regulations/policy respectively. All the actions in the noise at work action plan have now been addressed. A noise and vibration seminar held at Union Street in September 2008 was attended by 19 representatives from 14 English and Welsh Fire and Rescue Services, representing approximately 30% of the NFRS. The Principal Inspector of Noise and Vibration from the HSE gave a short presentation and indicated that the LFB led work has set a standard for a more uniform approach to these issues from both the FRS employer and HSE enforcement perspectives. The HSS department s succession planning includes maintaining and sharing skills within the department for the measurement and monitoring of noise levels across a range of Brigade wide activities. Therefore, a number of exercises have been undertaken to ensure a uniform understanding going forward. 6

7 3.2 Vibration There are no vibration related issues for the Brigade, as staff are not occupationally exposed in the same way as staff in other industries such as Construction. Therefore there are no planned assessments at this time. The subject of conducting vibration assessments was covered as part of the noise and vibration seminar. 3.3 Manual Handling Manual Handling (MH) Training encompasses employee training, trainer training and continuation/refresher training: Six LFB MH Trainers continue to deliver basic MH courses and meet organisational needs. Competence is maintained through refresher training. HSS also trained six Contract Management Group (CMG) staff along with six AssetCo staff in MH risk assessment. These assessors will ensure that all new equipment is assessed prior to acceptance into the Brigade. The AssetCo training was cost neutral to HSS. Based on numbers employed at , 99% of all LFB employees have been trained in MH techniques. MH Risk Assessments: A number of MH risk assessments have been completed and advice provided. We plan to supplement the 48 individuals already trained as MH Assessors (33 trained during 2007/08) by providing further training in 2009/10 to ensure that MH assessments can be completed more easily in all relevant departments. A project has been developed to progress MH risk assessments for the equipment in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) modules. This work has commenced. The MH assessments identified for review are being prioritised for allocation to some of the trained MH Assessors across a number of departments. 7

8 FIGURE 1 - Progress against the Corporate Performance Indicators, 2008/09 and Quarter 4 (January March) ANNUALS Jan Mar QUARTER / / / / / /09 Code Performance Indicators Measure ACTUALS ACTUALS ACTUAL YTD YTD TARGETS 10% reduction Achieved ACTUALS ACTUALS ACTUALS LFPI 130 (a) LFPI 130 (b) LFPI 132 LFPI 133 Working days lost due to work-related injuries * Working days lost due to work-related injuries * Road traffic accidents involving fire appliances Injuries, illnesses and dangerous occurrences required to be reported by the RIDDOR regulations number 14,399 14,584 12,045 13,126 2, 951 3,487 2,269 per 100,000 workers 205, , , ,272 41,628 48,961 31,890 number X number Note: * Days lost figure reported includes light duty days as required by HSE. The number of light duty days for the full year 2008/09 was 3,429 (i.e.28% of total days lost). At year end the RIDDOR figures show an 11% reduction in RIDDOR reportable events exceeding the 10% reduction target. There was also a 17% reduction in days lost, which exceeded the 10% reduction target for working days lost. In addition, 28% of these days were light duty days, with less financial impact. The majority of the RIDDOR events have been short term absences in the over three day category. Road traffic accidents involving fire appliances showed an increase of 7% against a 10% reduction target year on year. The Government and the Health & Safety Executive s Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy set targets for reduction in injury, ill-health and absence incidence by The Government required stakeholders to reduce the fatal and major injury rate by 10%; the incidence of work-related ill-health by 20%; and the number of working days lost from work-related injury and ill-health by 30% by We are on target to achieve the fatal and major injury reduction rate of 10%. Key: X = Missed target by >10%; = Target met; O = Within10% of target 8

9 3.4 Management Health and Safety Inspections We continue to monitor the self inspection programme that was introduced at Brigade premises on 1 June 2007 and we are assessing its impact on health and safety performance at fire stations. HSS has provided a more user friendly monitoring facility for this programme to assist local managers to maintain a safe workplace. In Q3, HSS staff trained each of the four Area Support Performance Management teams in the use of this monitoring facility. Managers remain responsible for using the recording system to monitor any safety issue trends and the progress of any defects. 3.5 Audit The second year of the three year rolling audit programme was completed at the end of March 2009, with the planned 34 premises visited (approximately one station per borough). The premises audited were chosen based on the sites with the highest personal injury and vehicle accident rates. Those premises with the highest rating were completed in the first year of the audit programme, and the programme for 2009/10 will be looking at the premises with the lowest rating based on the exercise completed in early At the end of each audit the premises manager was informed of the general findings, both the positive aspects and the issues where remedial actions were needed, including the need to ensure that Property Services are engaged in both remedial and energy conservation matters. Where issues were identified that were likely to affect other premises this information was shared through the structured Area Management meetings. Discussions were also held at Service Delivery Principal Management Board (SDPMB). The most consistent findings from the audits were: Generally the H&S management inspection tool is being used by Station Managers (SM) to monitor the planned premises inspections undertaken by staff and defects are being identified and reported in a timely manner. Overall there were visible improvements in the standard of housekeeping at many of the fire stations visited. SD has worked closely with Property Services to remove unwanted items from stations. Fire safety management was a high priority and SDPMB has accelerated their programme to review and revise all fire safety risk assessments, and these were completed by April On station vehicle accidents were a key theme of the audits and poor driving practices were challenged and brought to local management attention when they were observed. Reversing and other vehicle manoeuvring on and off station was a key topic in the first edition of Safety Matters in October The associated station based training initiatives have already contributed to an improvement in on station reversing vehicle events, (paragraph 2.4 refers). Environmental issues remain part of the audit programme and Environment Advisers from Procurement staff often accompany the H&S auditors on their visits. On the whole, staff respond well to environmental issues. Where conservation measures could be improved, SMs were directed to Property Services for appropriate solutions. As a result of the audit findings over the last two years, a Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedure (643) has been issued. 3.6 Occupational Health HSS works closely with Human Resources and has an input into the occupational health policy and guidance provided by the Brigade at both strategic and contract monitoring group level. Recent work has included the development of policy relating to vaccination for Hepatitis B and developing the specification for a routine anonymised report from the occupational health provider, Health Management (HML). The aim is to address general health issues within the Brigade, such as obesity, hyper-tension, diabetes etc, through targeted health promotions and other initiatives. 9

10 During 2008/09 HSS staff completed 35 workplace risk assessments for expectant mothers and 87 DSE assessments to supplement local self-assessments where follow up action was required. The latter has also involved the OHU Physiotherapist. 3.7 HSS Help Desk In October 2008 HSS launched a helpdesk in order to provide an additional source of H&S information and advice to all employees. It operates between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday and is accessible by telephone and . All advice is given by HSS H&S Advisers operating a rota system. Outside these hours a voic facility allows messages to be left. All enquiries are noted for monitoring purposes. The Helpdesk is now an integrated part of the service provided by HSS. In the first six months of operation 55 enquiries were received (2 of which were redirected to Property Help Desk as premises maintenance issues.) In 90% of cases, advice was provided immediately. The majority of enquiries were related to SERD and risk assessment, but a range of topics including: first aid, DSE, manual handling, exposure to asbestos, information on NEBOSH training courses, PPE, workplace welfare, accident statistics and health and safety publications were also handled. In comparison with other helpdesks (e.g. IT and Property) the HSS Helpdesk is used less, however, the availability of other communication channels, particularly those developed through the Area Commands/Borough liaison structure means that people try to contact their Borough liaison officer for H&S rather than using the HSS Helpdesk in the first instance. The availability of the HSS Helpdesk was recently promoted in Shout and the number is now displayed as the main contact number for HSS on the Health and Safety Law poster displayed at LFB premises. The helpdesk number is also highlighted on the front page of the HSS area of Hotwire to encourage the use of this facility. 4. Health & Safety Management Leadership 4.1 HSS has incorporated the essential principles of effective leadership of H&S into our rolling three year H&S action plan and annual action plan, and the HSE guidance has already been taken into account in preparing our Health and Safety Policy and other documents. The Head of HSS continued to arrange Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) accredited Safety for Senior Executives courses for Heads of Service and above. An in-house course was held for all Heads of Service on 24 March The aim is to ensure that all Directors and Heads of Service understand their legal responsibilities and the new Corporate Manslaughter legislation, Corporate Governance and its relevance to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), OHS management systems and the business case for OHS. All attendees to date have passed the course and been issued with certificates. 4.2 The Authority has also recognised the need to lead at Member level with the appointment of Councillor Heaster as Health & Safety Liaison Member. IOSH launched their new guidance Think about health and safety: What elected members of local authorities need to know in April LFB HSS representatives attended this event, which was introduced and supported by Judith Hackett, Chair of HSE. 5. Workforce Liaison Health & Safety Committees 5.1 Consultation continues on a wide range of issues both in relation to normal organisational activities and the introduction of new equipment and procedures. There were 55 items in consultation at BJCHSW at the start 2008/09. The Management side submitted an additional 33 documents for consultation during the year, and Staff side raised 24 issues making it a total of 112 items discussed, of which 56 items were concluded, leaving 56 items in consultation at the start of 2009/ There were seven specific health and safety procedures in consultation, which were: Pole houses and sliding pole safety procedure Personal protective equipment at work procedure 10

11 Procedure for safe reversing and other vehicle manoeuvres Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 policy A revised hearing conservation guidance for station personnel A noise and vibration assessment form for use with assessments of work equipment Lifting operations and lifting equipment procedure The food safety and food hygiene procedure submitted in 2007/08 is still in consultation. 6. Liaison with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) 6.1 LFB has maintained regular contact with the HSE lead body Inspector. We propose to re-instate the routine quarterly meetings with our HSE Inspector after the conclusion of the Bethnal Green Road fire investigation. 6.2 Following our internal investigation into the Bethnal Green Road fire, we completed a detailed action plan. There have been no other developments following the provision of further information in response to specific questions, some of which were for clarification. However, HSE received their specialist adviser s report in October 2008 and we are awaiting further contact from the Inspector about meeting with us. 6.3 The HSE Specialist Inspector for Noise and Vibration suggested that LFB hold a seminar/workshop for other FRSs to share best practice in noise and vibration measurement and control within the fire brigade activities. As a result, LFB has taken a national lead on noise and vibration issues and in order to share good practice with other fire and rescue services a seminar took place on 26 September 2008 and a further course has been scheduled for May LFB responded on the HSE Consultation Document CD219 Removing Forms and Record Keeping Requirements. This concurred with the views of the Fire Safety Regulatory Team. As a Fire Authority we have received notifications of the premises affected by these proposals. However, as identified by the consultation, there has never been an assurance that the registers were complete and up to date. Therefore, we continue to investigate more reliable means of identifying relevant premises and changes to use. 6.5 The Head of HSS attended HSE s launch of its new strategy on 3 December 2008 and followed up by participating in a half day strategy consultation workshop on 27 January Much emphasis is placed on the need for strong leadership; building competence; involving the workforce; and creating healthier, safer workplaces among other issues. These are in line with our own developing Health and Safety, Training and Development and Human Resources strategies. 7. Working with the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) 7.1 HSS has continued to support the CFOA Health & Safety Committee during the year. This committee is chaired by LFB s AC Operational Policy and is attended by the Head of HSS, and a HSS GM/Senior Health and Safety Adviser, who acts as secretary to the committee. Attending this committee provides an opportunity to discuss and positively influence issues in the national arena such as compliance issues associated with noise and vibration, manual handling, occupational health and vehicle incidents. 8. Health & Safety Training 8.1 HSS staff have delivered the following training to staff in accordance with the National Health and Safety Training Matrix. Each induction and hazard awareness session below represents a half-day for two officers excluding preparation time. Local Accident Investigation (LAI) sessions are a whole day. The following courses were for the full year April March 2009: 10 (21 YTD) Induction training sessions have been held for 76 (184 YTD) uniformed trainees and 11

12 34 (61 YTD) FRS staff. 4 (12 YTD) Hazard Awareness training courses for 46 (135 YTD) uniformed trainees. 3 (10 YTD) Watch Managers/Crew Managers LAI training courses for 33 (116 YTD) uniformed officers. 0 (4 YTD) Station Managers LAI courses for 0 (60 YTD) uniformed officers. Completed training in the monitoring function of the Health and Safety Inspection Tool for 4 (16 total) staff from each of the four Area Support Teams. 8.2 Auditor training/refresher training was delivered to new members of the HSS team in Q4 2008/ In October 2008 HSS staff arranged two courses of two-day specialist training for 30 staff nominated by key departments (Service Delivery, Contract Management Group, Operational Tactics) on the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). The aim was to enable Managers who procure and receive equipment to carry out their own PUWER risk assessments to the required standard, with a view to improving their input to specification of equipment and associated documentation from suppliers. 8.4 HSS agreed with Training & Development a syllabus for the health and safety element of the Group Manager Development course. This included validation through an end of course test with a pass level that must be achieved for all candidates. These courses were delivered successfully in the final quarter. Additional courses will be developed for other management roles including Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Station Manager, Watch and Crew Manager, as part of the HSS rolling three year action plan. Preparation for the Station Manager course has already commenced. 9. Conclusions 9.1 The LFB targets were exceeded for LFPI 130 Working days lost to sickness due to work-related injuries and LFPI 133 Injuries, deaths and dangerous occurrences reported under RIDDOR, i.e. 17% reduction and 11% reduction respectively against the 10% reduction target. However, the 10% reduction target for LFPI 132 Road traffic accidents involving fire appliances was not achieved and there was a 7% increase, although the increase in trend has slowed from the 13% increase in 2007/ LFB has repeated its success of last year and has been awarded the RoSPA Gold Award for Occupational Health & Safety. The awards are sponsored by NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety & Health), the leading health and safety professional examining body and mark achievement, which is graded at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. This is a well recognised and valuable external benchmarking exercise against all industries. Given the current UK economic climate, this clearly demonstrates LFB s commitment to maintaining standards of health and safety practice. 9.3 The first of the new six monthly Safety Matters publication was introduced for all staff in October 2008 and focussed on issues associated with vehicles; principally reversing vehicle accidents, driver s daily checks (especially wheel nuts), and mobile phones and driver safety. It has also reminded all staff of their responsibilities under LFB s new H&S policy and clarified their role under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, in place from April HSS is particularly active with interventions raising H&S awareness. The training outcomes provided by HSS within the Safety Matters publication have been used by BCs in their SM meetings and in stationbased training. These interventions have contributed to the overall improvement in performance. 9.5 The three year Health, Safety and Environment audit programme remains on target. General housekeeping, standards in kitchens and vehicle manoeuvres on site were common themes that were brought to the attention of SMs. 9.6 The Head of HSS has drafted H&S governance proposals which are currently being considered by the CMB. The proposal is for a Health and Safety Strategy Board (HSSB) to replace the Health, Safety & Environment Strategy Board (HSESB), following the transfer of environment and sustainable development to Resources Directorate in The role of this board will be to monitor and introduce 12

13 suitable policy and forward planning arrangements to ensure continuous improvement. 10. Authority s Strategic Objectives This report supports and delivers the following Authority Strategic Objectives: Response Planning and preparing for emergencies that may happen and making a high quality effective and resilient response to them. Resources - Managing risk by using our resources flexibly, efficiently and effectively, continuously improving the way we use public money. People Working together to deliver high quality services and create a safe and positive environment for everyone in the organisation Principles Operating in accordance with our values and ensuring that safety, sustainability, partnership and diversity run through all our activities. 11. Head of Legal and Democratic Services Comments The health and safety initiatives described in this report are consistent with the Authority s duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the regulations made pursuant to that Act. 12. Head of Finance Comments The Head of Finance has reviewed this report and has no comments. 13. Environmental Implications The work of Health and Safety Services, particularly with respect to integrated audits, simultaneously delivers improvement to environmental standards, including housekeeping throughout LFB. 14. Equalities Implications HSS continues to undertake staff risk assessments for pregnant women both operational and FRS to ensure that risks and hazards in the work environment are minimised. For staff with disabilities HSS advises on furniture and equipment that enables them to work more effectively. HSS contribute to the work of the Disability Discrimination Review Panel that advises on reasonable adjustments for new and existing disabled staff. The work of the Panel has contributed to the national debate on the establishment of standards for hearing and colour vision for operational staff. This work has made a significant contribution to the Authority s duty to promote equality and diversity. 15. Consultation Undertaken Name / Role Method consulted Assistant Commissioners Service Delivery Circulation of report by and comments incorporated into body of report. Trade Unions Copies of this report was sent on 21 May

14 List of Appendices to this report: 1. Health and Safety Rolling Three Year Action Plan 2007/ /10 2. Health and Safety Action Plan 2009/10 3. Details and Outcomes of Risk and Noise Assessments 4. Performance Information - Accident statistics 5. Performance Information - Accident Incidence rates 6. RIDDOR Accidents by Type and Benchmarking 7. Forthcoming Legislation LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 List of background documents None Proper officer Contact officer Telephone Brenda Weir, Head of Health and Safety Brenda Weir x31045 brenda.weir@london-fire.gov.uk 14

15 APPENDIX 1 HEALTH & SAFETY ROLLING THREE YEAR ACTION PLAN 2008/ /11 Priority Deliverable Tasks Lead Officer Target date Monitoring position at end March Review and revise H&S policy 1. Review and revise policy statement and arrangements. Head of H&S June 2008 Completed. 1 Review organisational learning process 1. Launch safety matters at road shows at SD. 2. Develop reports to communicate safety event trends from SERD. Head of H&S Head of H&S / Adviser / Group Manager October 2008 December 2008 Completed. Completed. 1 Provide advice and guidance to ensure the maintenance of safe systems of working in all our activities to secure the health and safety of our staff 1 Monitor all our activities and workplaces 1. Monitor and review safe systems of work to ensure compliance with H&S Policy and arrangements. 1. Complete 2nd phase of the integrated, H, S and E Audit Programme. Head of H & S March 2010 Health and Safety Policy promotion leaflet revised and provided to HR recruitment December Second edition of Safety Matters prepared for March 2009 for issue in April 2009 includes guidance on policies for station based training. Adviser / Group Manager March 2009 Completed. All audit visits were completed by year end 2008/ Complete 3rd phase of audit programme and ensure all LFB premises have been visited. Adviser / Group Manager March 2010 The remaining premises will be audited and the dates will be agreed with premises managers. 3. Review of audit process and determination of new priorities and frequency of audit. Adviser / Group Manager January 2010 Work not yet commenced. 4. Compile final report of findings and identify areas of good practice and those requiring further improvements Adviser / Group Manager May 2010 Work not yet commenced. 15

16 Priority Deliverable Tasks Lead Officer Target date Monitoring position at end March Review health and safety input in Individual Personal Development System (IPDS) 1. Ensure health and safety element included in IPDS/Personal Review Development System (PRDS). Head of H & S December Discussions required with Head of HR regarding H&S as a stand alone element in IPDS. Head of H & S July 2009 GM syllabus agreed and presentations delivered by end of April Other roles to include health and safety input as part of the overall review of IPDS. 1 Promote visible leadership in health and safety management 1. Develop Health and Safety management training for HoS. Head of H & S March 2010 Completed. Safety for Senior Executives course progressed, the next course planned for Q1 2009/10. Mop up session for remaining HoS and Directors being arranged. 1 Investigate all accidents in the workplace to an agreed and appropriate standard. 1 Reduce safety events by positively influencing existing work practices within LFB through workforce participation 2. Support Health and Safety qualifications for managers. 1. Review and revise the SAI/LAI process to establish a more objective approach and facilitate greater management control. 1. Carry out pilot study to determine scope of an intervention on selected activities and locations. 2. Undertake research into the safety related critical behaviours that link to performance Group Manager March 2010 Station Managers/FRS E staff supported to achieve national Health and Safety qualifications (NEBOSH Certificate) financed through their own departmental budgets. Head of H & S June 2009 Review continues of the accident investigation process and training needs. Process delayed due to restructure of Operational Policy. Head of H & S December 2009 Several methodologies considered including Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Behavioural Safety training. Head of H & S March 2010 Not yet started. This task is dependant on the completion of Part 1, above. 3. Analyse findings of study to identify key issues and potential interventions. Head of H & S September 2010 Not yet started. This task is dependant on the completion of Part 2, above. 4. Develop and deliver pilot interventions. Head of H & S March 2011 Not yet started. This task is dependant on the completion of Part 3, above. 16

17 Priority Deliverable Tasks Lead Officer Target date Monitoring position at end March To improve the diversity of the departmental workforce at all levels 1. Ensure that a representative from the department attends appropriate events organised by the Equality Services. Adviser March 2009 Completed. Equalities champion nominated. Regular attendance at HR case conferences. 2. Consider workforce composition and need for appropriate targeting in all selection processes. Head of H & S March 2010 Equality and Diversity training to be included as a target in individuals PRDS. 3. Ensure that all documents and procedures published by HSS are subject to an Equality Impact Assessment. Adviser / Group Manager March 2010 System implemented to ensure all documents produced in HSS undergo an equalities impact assessment. 1 Identify H&S information needs for all levels in the Brigade 1 Ensure compliance with Regulations 1. Develop Safety Awareness campaigns from statistical information. Review and revise LFB provisions against the following regulations: 1. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 2. Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations 3. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 4. Noise at Work Regulations Adviser Adviser / Group Manager May 2009 (on-going) March 2010 Publish second edition of Safety Matters, April 2009 comprising information for station training on: contractor management, slips, trips and falls, manual handling and risk assessment. 2 Provide a lead on best practice for noise and vibration assessment issues within the National Fire and Rescue Services (NFRS) 1. Deliver further noise and vibration workshops to other NFRSs as required. Adviser / Group Manager September 2009 Presentation developed. Seminar promoted to other FRSs. Second seminar planned for May

18 APPENDIX 2 HEALTH & SAFETY ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2009/10 Priority Deliverable Tasks Lead Officer Target date Monitoring position at end March Review the Manual Handling Operations element of the safety management system 1. Co-ordinate manual handling assessments and prioritise for MH Assessors; publish completed assessments. Adviser / Group Manager March 2010 Review and revise all assessments. 2 Review and improve the training links with the Cardinus (DSE) package 2. Carry out manual handling assessments for priority equipment that is currently in service. 3. Deliver Manual Handling Assessor training/refresher training for all staff involved in the provision of equipment. 1. Review and revise the upgrade to the Cardinus software package. 2. Explore the possibility of linking the Cardinus package directly with STEP Adviser / Group Manager Adviser / Group Manager Group Manager Heath and Safety Adviser March 2010 March 2010 July 2009 October 2009 Assessments allocated to GMs for updates and included in PRDS to maintain competence. Final stage of review completed. Upgrade to go live by May Discussions in progress with IT. 1 Review current provisions for (COSHH) Regulations 1. Review and revise COSHH procedure. Heath and Safety Adviser June 2009 Revised procedure drafted. 2. Review and revise COSHH risk assessments. Heath and Safety Adviser December 2009 Revised COSHH risk assessment form developed and trialled. 1 Review current provisions for Control of Noise at Work Regulations 1. Review and revise noise risk assessments as required. Adviser / Group Manager December Provide a lead on best practice in noise and vibration assessment issues within the National Fire and Rescue Services (NFRS) 1. Deliver further noise and vibration workshops to other NFRSs as required. Adviser / Group Manager September 2009 Presentation developed. Seminar promoted to other FRSs. Second seminar planned for May

19 Priority Deliverable Tasks Lead Officer Target date Monitoring position at end March Reduce accidents and improve standards in kitchens 1. Develop information and guidance in food safety and food hygiene. Adviser June 2009 Completed. 2. Deliver workshops to provide guidance and information for all fire stations. Adviser September 2009 Rollout to be agreed with Service Delivery. 1 Review training content and delivery 1 Improve management leadership in Health & Safety 1. Revise requirements of Senior Accident Investigation training. 1. Co-ordinate delivery of further sessions of Safety for Senior Executives for HoS. Head of H & S December 2009 First stage completed. SAI training module for distress to wearer delivered. Further modules to follow. Head of H & S September 2009 Training completed for majority of HOS by March Review Accident (Safety Event) Investigation process 1. Review existing Policy following Senior Accident Investigator (SAI) review. Head of H & S June 2009 N.B. Fewer external courses provided in current climate, mop-up planned. First draft of revised Policy in progress. 2 Review existing Policy on RIDDOR reporting and incorporate. 3 Review and revise, where necessary, the SERD database in line with proposed regulatory changes along with upgrades offered by the supplier. Group Manager Adviser / Group Manager May 2009 March 2010 (on-going) Completed. System now developed by HR that incorporates HSE reportable occupational diseases in StARS with follow up through OH provider. Updates identified. Discussions with software provider and IT ongoing. 19

20 Priority Deliverable Tasks Lead Officer Target date Monitoring position at end March Review Organisational learning process 1. Review reports from SAI, Operational Review Team (ORT) and Performance Review of Command (PRC). Head of H & S March 2010 (on-going) Agenda item at Operational Directorate Coordination Board meetings. 2. Selected information used to support Ops News articles and included in Dynamic Intelligent Operational Training (DIOT) subjects. Adviser March 2010 (on-going) System developed to provide regular information and commentary to ORT for inclusion in their reports. 3. Publish reports to communicate safety event trends in SD from SERD. Adviser March 2010 (Quarterly review) Standard reports provided to SD Managers, (SM, BC, DAC) and AC SD. 1 Continue to monitor health, safety and environment performance at Brigade premises 1. Conduct remaining premises visits as part of the third phase of the health, safety and environment audit process. 2. Review and revise the Management Health and Safety Inspection programme to include a more user-friendly monitoring tool. Group Manager Adviser March 2010 July 2009 Programme of audits on target at year end. Completed. 1 Raise the level of understanding of health and safety regulatory requirements for contractor management of construction/refurbishment of Brigade premises 1. Provide Property Services department with information and training in relation to contractor management and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations Advise on identification and marking of drains in accordance with EA best practice. Group Manager Head of H & S December 2008 May 2009 Completed - Ongoing support for PFI projects. Advice provided to Property Services in conjunction with Sustainable Development. 20