Agenda item

Present:-  Councillor R. S. Russell (in the Chair); Councillors Barron, Hall, Jackson, Smith, Swift and Whelbourn. and Mrs. S. D. Brook (NASUWT), Mr. J. W. Clay (ATL), Mr. G. Duffield (TGWU), Mr. K. Moore (AMICUS) and Mrs. H. C. Smith (UNISON)

Apologies for absence: were received from Councillors Jack, Sharman and Whysall and from Mr. S. Frere (UNISON) and Mr. M. Tyas (GMB).

212(12) 

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 13th October, 2006

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel, held on 13th October, 2006, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

212(13)   

Accidents, Injuries and Incidents of Violence to Employees

Consideration was given to a report of the Principal Health and Safety Officer containing the following statistics:-

(i) Corporate Monthly Accidents and Violence to Staff Incidents – 1 July to 30 September, 2006;

(ii) Programme Area Monthly Accidents and Violence to Staff Incidents – 1 June to 30 September, 2006; and

(iii) Summary of RIDDOR Reportable Injuries – 1 July to 30 September, 2006.

The Principal Health and Safety Officer also submitted a chart summarising reported accidents to all employees, occurring from the first quarter in 2004 to the fourth quarter in 2006.

Resolved:- (1) That the contents of the report and the statistical information be noted.

(2) That the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel continue to receive the statistical report (ie: the chart of quarterly accident and injury statistics) at each meeting.

(3) That, at intervals of six months, the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel shall receive the detailed reports about accident and injury statistics which are also considered by the Council’s Corporate Management Team and provided for Heads of Service.

212(14)   

Health and Safety Bulletin

Consideration was given to the Health and Safety Bulletin, containing recent articles and reports of legal cases relating to health and safety. Nine recent health and safety articles and cases were highlighted.

Discussion took place on the legal definition of ‘work equipment’, which, in the case quoted involving the City of London Corporation, included the lift/elevator within an office/workplace building.

Resolved:- That the Principal Health and Safety Officer distribute copies of the bulletin throughout the Authority and also publish the bulletin on the Council’s Intranet web site.

212(15)   

Reports on Visits of Inspection held on 8th December, 2006

Consideration was given to matters arising from the visits of inspection made by the Panel on Friday, 8th December, 2006.

The report included the responses provided by Service Areas to the various issues raised at the inspections.

Particular reference was made to:-

(a) ThryberghComprehensive School (from September 2006 visit)

Panel Members noted that the gates would be locked in the morning as pupils arrived at this School and also during the afternoon as they were leaving School, in order to prevent the pedestrian-vehicle potential conflict along the access road into the School campus.

(b) Portable Appliance Testing

Panel members would be provided with information about the Portable Appliance Testing of items of electrical equipment within the workplace.

(c) No. 1 Treefield Close, Wingfield

The Panel required responses to the issues reported at the visit of inspection to these premises.

(d) Wingfield Swimming Pool

The Panel was of the view that the fencing must be removed from the enclosure to the rear of the swimming pool, as this area was becoming a place where refuse was dumped and youths were congregating.

(e) Treeton Day Centre

The Panel requested details of the examination of the gas boiler to these premises, as to whether a replacement boiler needed to be installed.

(f) Oakwood Swimming Pool

An additional item reported by the Panel was the presence of storage lockers which were obstructing the route to the boiler plant room; these lockers should be located elsewhere within the building. The Panel still required responses to all of the issues reported at the visit of inspection to the swimming pool building

(g) MowbrayGardens Library

The Panel required responses to the issues reported at the visit of inspection to these premises.

(h) Oaktrees Centre, Wickersley Road

The Panel questioned whether a water sprinkler system was required for this building, in the event of fire.

212(16)   

Crinoline House - Home Care Service - Inspection by Health and Safety Executive

The Principal Health and Safety Officer informed the Panel of the outcome and actions arising from the inspection of Crinoline House and especially the Home Care Service, by officers of the Health and Safety Executive, which had taken place on 20th December, 2006.

212(17)   

Health and Safety Officers

The Chairman informed the Panel that both Mr. John Stapleton (Principal Health and Safety Officer) and Mr. Tony Clarkson (Health and Safety Officer) would shortly be leaving the Borough Council as they had obtained new employment.

The Panel placed on record its appreciation of the excellent services of Mr. Stapleton and Mr. Clarkson to this Council and wished them both well with their future careers.