STIRLING COUNCIL MINUTE of MEETING of the HEALTH AND SAFETY PANEL held in the COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, STIRLING on MONDAY, 28 APRIL 201 4 at 2.00pm Present: Councillor Callum CAMPBELL (in the Chair) Councillor Graham HOUSTON Councillor Christine SIMPSON Councillor Corrie McCHORD Councillor Fergus WOOD Trade Union Representatives Richard Barron, UNISON Bill Dick, EIS Ian MacLean, SSTA Brian Wilson, GMB Officers: Alexandra Bergin, Social Services Michael Boyle, Education David Bright, Governance & Resources Phil Cummins, Social Services Colin Duncan, Governance & Resources Pamela Forsyth, HR Leslie Fisher, Economy, Planning & Regulation David Hopper, Environment Kristine Johnson, Chief HR Officer Kirsty Leishman, HR Norman McLeod, Roads Transport & Land Services, Environment John McMillan, Housing & Customer Service David Riggle, Environment John Risk, Head of Assets and Support Services Nick Sabo, Corporate Health & Safety Advisor, Assets & Support Services Bill Scott, Chief Executive s Helen Geddes Clerk) Apologies: Councillor Jim Thomson Susan Lyon, Social Services Linda Melville, Social Services Lorraine Thomson, Unison The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and reminded the Panel that today was International Workers Memorial Day and that a Stirling Council and Joint Trade Union group marked International Workers Memorial Day in the grounds of the Council s Viewforth Headquarters at the commemorative tree, which was planted on 28th April 2012 to provide a permanent place of remembrance in Stirling.
HS70 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest. HS71 URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE CHAIR There were no items of urgent business. HS72 MINUTES 27 JANUARY 2014 The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 January 2014 were approved subject to an amendment to the sederunt removing Bill Dick, EIS as present and adding Ian MacLean SSTA. HS73 EMPLOYERS LIABILITY CLAIMS FROM 01 APRIL 2008 TO 31 MARCH 2014 A report by the Head of Governance & Resources provided a summary of Employers Liability Claims against Stirling Council from 01 April 2008 to 31 March 2014, summarised by type in Appendix 1 and by Service in Appendix 2. Claims still open were listed in Appendix 3. The Panel noted that six employers liability claims had been received since the Health & Safety Panel on 27 January 2014 as follows: Environment 2 claims Housing & Customer Services 1 claim Social Services 2 claims In addition, a claim had been received from an employee of a predecessor authority in respect of a Mesothelioma arising from exposure to asbestos during the period 1975 to 1980. The Health and Safety Panel noted the content of the report. HS74 HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE SERVICE AREA UPDATES A report by the Heads of Service and Chief Executive provided an update of key health and safety activities, initiatives and improvements across the Council since the Panel met on 27 January 2014. Significant health and safety activity continued across the Council and remained a high priority. Service areas were continuing to progress a range of health and safety initiatives and improvements. Service area updates had been summarised in paragraphs below.
Assets & Support New Viewforth Demolition The Panel was advised that the demolition completion deadline had been extended to 16 May 2014. Dust, noise and vibration monitoring continued. School Meals It had been previously reported that Stirling Council had become the first and only local authority in Scotland to secure the silver level Food for Life Catering Mark from the Soil Association Scotland for its meals service. It was noted that it was important to the health of children that nutritious meals were provided to school children and Council offices. Parking at Viewforth Councillor Wood raised concern about a near incident at the parking area used by Councillors at the rear of Old Viewforth whereby a driver had engaged the wrong gear and almost went over the edge. In response, the Head of Assets & Support advised that parking arrangements were due to reviewed and that a draft report would shortly be going out to consultation. Road Services was also looking into the viability of barriers. Building Construction Inspections Councillor Simpson asked if inspection of building would be carried out to ensure an incident like that which had happened at Liberton High School could not be repeated. The Head of Assets & Support advised that a desktop exercise had been undertaken, examining all Council buildings for freestanding walls. One wall at Bannockburn High School, which was not fully freestanding, had been reduced in height during the Easter break as a precaution. Chief Executive s Office The service had no reported incidents. A fire drill had successfully been undertaken. However, during the most recent fire alarm testing, a sounder had stuck on. It was confirmed that whilst the sounder had been deactivated, the system was operational. Facilities Group It was reported that a Facilities Group had been established for Viewforth. Economy, Planning & Regulation It was reported that the service had had two incidents reported both at Bandeath Stray Dog Shelter. The first involved a volunteer who had tripped on an uneven road surface. Work had now been done to the road surface and it was much improved. The second involved a dog that had previously shown some aggressive tendencies. It had subsequently bitten an experienced volunteer who tried to examine its paw when it presented with a limp during a walk. The dog had subsequently been
humanely destroyed. It was noted that dogs showing any aggression would now be muzzled during walks. On a seasonal note, the Panel were advised that there was guidance available for pregnant employees at risk during the lambing season. Education It was reported that discussions were ongoing with various training providers about providing training on manual handling of children. At present no provider appears to provide a bespoke course but there was an option to commission training in conjunction with partners across Forth Valley in order to offset the costs of running such training. In addition, a training provider of ladders in classrooms was being sought. Class teachers had a requirement to display materials on classroom walls but as most classrooms had no units around the outside of the class, normal ladders could not be used. In response to a question raised by Councillor Wood about the suitability, in his opinion, of Glencoe as a venue for novice skiers, the Panel was advised that there had actually been more incidents reported at Polmont Dry Ski Slope than had occurred at Glencoe. Corporate Health & Safety Adviser confirmed that a simpler minor incident reporting form had now been made available to Education. Environment ROADS, TRANSPORT & LAND SERVICES Roads Maintenance It was reported that a system had been sourced that would enable access to key Health & Safety information contained on the Integrated Management System for front line operatives and Supervisors ensuring implementation of control measures and Health & Safety planning was continually developed at all levels of the workforce. Rollout of this system was planned for May/June 2014. WASTE Safety Climate Tool It was reported that the service had carried out an evaluation of its current health and safety culture compared against industry standards using the HSL Safety Climate Tool. The survey had been completed and the results were now being entered into the system. The questionnaire answers from Waste staff gave useful benchmarking information. The Roads, Transport & Land Services Health & Safety representative said that he was keen for the Safety Climate Tool to be adopted throughout Environment. A verbal update would be given at the next Panel meeting.
In response to a question raised by Councillor Wood in connection to the problems experienced by Waste vehicles in Thornhill s Main Street, the Waste Services Manager confirmed that whilst the street was narrow, the Service was satisfied that the risk was as controlled as it could be. Referring to the statement in the Service Update that a near miss target of 10% per month, the UNISON representative was advised that this was a national target. The incident recorded as driving using a mobile phone was confirmed as having been an employee whilst driving a Council vehicle. It was confirmed that the employee had been severely reprimanded. Governance & Resources There were no incidents since the last Panel meeting. Housing & Customer Service The Service reported that there had been 19 near misses, mainly in the Springkerse Yard area. Re-configuration of the Yard to separate vehicles from pedestrians was being investigated. Social Services In response to a question from Councillor Simpson, it was confirmed that CALM training being undertaken in Brucefield also included staff based at Glasgow Road and was predominantly for residential care staff. Frontline staff were more likely to undertake Dealing with difficult families training. Lone Working The UNISON representative asked if there was evidence to show that Tunstall was better than the Guardian system of lone working recording. The Chief HR Officer advised that staff were being trained in the use of Tunstall more services could access this system without additional cost to the Council. A separate discussion could be arranged for anyone who wanted to know more. HS75 QUARTERLY REPORT ON HEALTH & SAFETY INCIDENTS A report by the Head of Assets & Support provided quarterly comparison data regarding Council Health & Safety incidents for the period January to March 2013 against January to March 2014. The Appendix accompanying the report separated accidents into five areas: RIDDOR, Accidents, Dangerous Occurrences, Near Misses and Incidents. The report commended all Service areas on continuing to submit near miss reports. This data had helped in the analysis of accident trends.
The Panel was advised that there had been a total of 352 incidents during the previous quarter. The increase in number was mainly attributed to better reporting within Education. The Chair expressed concern that simply assuming increased reporting as an explanation could be hiding a trend and Health & Safety representatives would need to be vigilant. It was explained that the figure of 41 employees assaulted did not mean that criminal assault had taken place - unruly school pupils or clients with dementia could lash out. Councillor Simpson expressed concern that although incidents of trips and falls of elderly residents within care sector was coming down it was still high and asked that Social Services look more closely into prevention measures. It was confirmed that the Corporate Health & Safety Adviser continued to collate health and safety benchmarking information from all other 31 local authorities. The Panel is asked to note the information contained in the report, in conjunction with Heads of Service updates. HS76 NATIONAL AND LOCAL HEALTH & SAFETY DEVELOPMENTS A report by the Head of Assets & Support provided a summary of National and Local Health & Safety developments for consideration by the Health & Safety Panel, together with the Health & Safety Bulletins issued in the last quarter. National Developments The Mesothelioma Act 2014 This Act was passed on 31 January 2014 and empowers sufferers diagnosed on or after 25 July 2012 who cannot trace a former employer or insurer and who have not already received compensation will be eligible for compensation providing they can provide negligent exposure. If successful, they will receive 75% of the average court award for Mesothelioma claims. This new law should not have any adverse effects on the Council. Approved Codes of Practice Consultative Document CD241 details HSE proposals for the revision, consolidation or withdrawal of 15 Approved Codes of Practices (ACOPs) by the end of 2013 with minor reviews or no changes to a further 15 ACOPs by 2014. Stirling Council policies would be updated to cope with any changes and Services should ensure that they obtain the ACOPs relevant to their type of work activity. These can be downloaded from the HSE website, free of charge.
Local Health and Safety Developments Schoolgirl lift shaft fall City of Edinburgh Council had been fined after a schoolgirl was seriously injured when she fell more than 5 metres as teachers attempted to free her from a broken lift. Stirling Council staff should be aware of what to do in situations such as this; by training/briefing nominated employees that may be required to assist during such incidents on Council premises. Waste Training Audit Corporate Health & Safety had carried out a targeted audit on Banksman training and frequency of that training in March 2014. It was noted that all training and vehicle reversing assessment were up to date. This audit was undertaken following an incident in Glasgow where a 71 year old had been killed after a refuse vehicle reversed over him. Health & Safety Bulletins The following Bulletins had been issued since the last meeting: Health & Safety near misses Sikhs wearing turbans on construction sites Prescription safety glasses and glasses for computer use (re-issue) Health & Safety Policies Two policies are currently under consultation: Health, safety and welfare at work Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres Employee Stress Assessments It was noted that there had been an increased number of employee stress assessments undertaken. HSE Visits It was noted that Stirling Council was likely to be fined for the incidence of asbestos found in the basement at Old Viewforth. It was explained that asbestos had first been reported in 2003 but a previous report had not been acted upon. All asbestos had now been removed and staff exposed had been health assessed. The Panel noted the content of the report.
HS77 OCCUPATION HEALTH ACTIVITY REPORT A report by the Head of Assets & Support outlined the progress of the Council s Occupational Health and Health Surveillance programmes. Details of Health Surveillance assessments undertaken from April 2013 to March 2014 had been included in Appendix A to the report. It was noted that there had been an increase in referrals in the fourth quarter as the PAM programme commenced. The Panel noted the Occupational Health appointments and Health Surveillance undertaken from April 2013 to March 2014. HS78 NEEDLE INCIDENT RECORDING PILOT SCHEME ACTIVITY REPORT As part of the pilot whereby needle incidents would be recorded across the Council area, a table was circulated showing the level of needle activity across Ward areas. It was acknowledged that this only included needles picked up by Safer Communities and Land Services but it was a useful start. Future Health & Safety Panels would require a report giving an explanation of the figures featured in the appended table with attendance at the next Panel meeting of a representative who would be able to talk the Panel through the statistics. The Panel noted the information in the Table of Needles Found 01 April 2013 to 14 April 2014 and requested more detailed information. HS79 TRADE UNION WORKFORCE ISSUES No issues were raised. Meeting closed at 1520hrs