Agenda item

Present:-  Councillor R. S. Russell (in the Chair); Councillors Dodson, Smith, Whelbourn and Wootton. and Mrs. S. D. Brook (NASUWT), Mr. J. W. Clay (ATL), Mrs. J. Adams (NUT), Mr. K. Moore (AMICUS), Mr. C. Booth (GMB), Mr. M. Eyre (GMB) and Mr. P. Waterworth (UNISON)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P. A. Russell and Walker and Mrs. C. Maleham (UNISON)

174(1) 

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th October, 2008

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel, held on 10th October, 2008, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

174(2)    

Statistics of Accidents, Injuries and Incidents of Violence to Employees

The Principal Health and Safety Officer submitted a chart summarising reported accidents to Council employees (with separate data for each Directorate) occurring during the calendar year 2008.

The Panel noted that the statistics about (i) physical and verbal violence to staff, including details of working time lost because of subsequent absence and (ii) accident statistics relating to non-employees, would be reported to future meetings of this Panel.

Resolved:- That the statistical information be noted.

174(3)    

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.

The following were highlighted:-

-     matters of interest from the Health and Safety Executive (Capita gas safe register; European Campaign for Safety and Health at Work 2008/09; advice for safe working in Winter);

-     myth of the Month (throwing snowballs; bonfires);

-     recent Court Cases.

The Panel noted that school caretakers would receive training in the health and safety practices affecting asbestos.

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.

174(4)    

Health, Welfare and Safety - Overview of Initiatives and Procedures

The Panel considered a report, presented by the Principal Health and Safety Officer, summarising issues dealt with by the Emergency and Safety team since the last Panel meeting :-

-     incident at CliftonPark, where an operator involved in tree felling had been injured;

-     pupils injured in incidents at three Junior Schools;

-     resolving the problem of fumes from one of the heating boilers within Crinoline House;

-     day care worker injured in a car accident after skidding on black ice;

-     continuing the programme of fire drills at multi-occupancy buildings;

-     operational audits of refuse collection teams whilst on their collection routes

-     health and safety training provided for waste management employees;

-     health and safety inspections prior to the switch-on of the Christmas illuminations within the Rotherham town centre.

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

174(5)    

Safety and Health Expo - 12th to 14th May, 2009 - National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham

Members of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel would be attending this year’s Health and Safety Expo on Wednesday, 13^th May, 2009.

174(6)    

Reports on Visits of Inspection held on 12th December, 2008

Consideration was given to matters arising from the visits of inspection made by the Panel on Friday, 12th December, 2008.

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

Particular reference was made to:-

(a) Vision Panels in Interior Doors

A general instruction would be issued to ensure that vision panels in interior doors in the Council’s buildings (including schools) must not be obstructed by posters, papers etc. being affixed to them.

(b) Large ‘Burco’ type Water Boilers

A general instruction would be issued to ensure that this large type of water boiler must be properly secured when in use, to prevent spillage of boiling water.

(c) Wath Victoria Junior and Infant School

The Panel agreed that an access door must be installed for the toilet area, as well as appropriate doors on each of the toilet cubicles at this Primary School.

(d) UlleyCountryPark

A hot tap was to be installed at the wash basin within the disabled toilet of the Park visitor centre.

(e) Fire Exit Signs - Illumination

The Panel requested clarification of the Regulations relating to the lighting and illumination of fire exit signs within buildings.

(f) AnstonHillcrestPrimary School

The Panel noted that appropriate means of ventilation would be provided for the toilet area (located near to the ICT suite).

(g) Issues Reported at Visits of Inspection of Schools

Panel members agreed that the School Governing Bodies be informed of the issues reported on the visits of inspection to Schools.

(h) RavenfieldPrimary School

The Emergency and Safety Team staff would undertake further visits to this School to ensure that all items reported at the visit of inspection have been dealt with satisfactorily.

(i) Visits of Inspection to Premises – Person(s) Accompanying Panel Members

It was agreed that future reports of the Panel’s visits of inspection shall include the name(s) of all of the person(s) who accompany the Panel members around the premises and sites being visited.

15.                      

16.                      

(a)               

(b)