Agenda item

Present:-  R. S. Russell (in the Chair); Councillors Burke, Hall, Pickering, Senior and G. Smith. and Mrs. S. D. Brook (NASUWT), Mr. R. Foster (NUT), Mr. M. Martin (UCATT), Mr. K. Moore (AMICUS), Mr. C. Oldfield (TGWU) and Mrs. H. C. Smith (UNISON)

104(11) 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE HEALTH, WELFARE AND SAFETY PANEL HELD ON 16TH JULY, 2004

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel, held on 16th July, 2004, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

104(12) 

STATISTICS OF ACCIDENTS, INJURIES AND INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE TO EMPLOYEES

The Principal Health and Safety Officer submitted a chart summarising reported accidents to all employees, occurring from the fourth quarter in 2001 to the third quarter in 2004. Emphasis was placed upon the accurate recording all accidents.

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

104(13) 

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. Fourteen recent health and safety articles and cases were highlighted.

Resolved:- That the Principal Health and Safety Officer distribute copies of the bulletin throughout the Authority.

104(14) 

WORK RELATED STRESS

Further to Minute No. 26(b) of the meeting of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel held on 16th July, 2004, consideration was given to a report of the Principal Health and Safety Officer describing the way in which the Council was responding to the issue of work-related stress. The Council’s draft revised policy on stress at work was appended to the report.

In noting the contents of the report, Panel Members agreed to submit their comments on the revised policy, to the Principal Health and Safety Officer, within the next two weeks.

104(15) 

REPORTS ON VISITS OF INSPECTION HELD ON FRIDAY, 17TH SEPTEMBER, 2004

Consideration was given to matters arising from the visits of inspection made by the Panel on Friday, 17th September, 2004.

It was noted that the Executive Director, Economic and Development Services would investigate the relevant matters and the Heads of Service concerned would be notified accordingly.

The Executive Director of Economic and Development Services informed the Panel of the system whereby summaries of the issues raised by the Panel at its visits of inspection would be reported, at intervals of six months, to the Cabinet and to the Corporate Management Team, enabling the level of response to these issues to be monitored effectively. Detailed information about the issues raised and the way in which the issues are to be dealt with, will continue to be reported on a quarterly basis to the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel.

In respect of the visits of inspection made on 17th September, particular reference was made to:-

(a) Ferham Junior and Infant School

Heavy goods vehicles leaving the site of the demolished former primary school should have their wheels washed to prevent mud being deposited on the adjacent roads.

(b) Aston FencePrimary School

The surfacing of the timber steps to two of the external classrooms should be repaired, to prevent a tripping hazard.

(c) Green ArbourSchool, Thurcroft

The tree adjacent to the fire escape steps would be pruned and the steps cleared of fallen leaves and other debris.

104(16) 

REPORTS ON VISITS OF INSPECTION HELD ON 2ND JULY, 2004

Further to Minute No. 8 of the meeting of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel held on 16th July, 2004, the Principal Health and Safety Officer submitted a report containing the responses received from individual Heads of Service to the various issues raised by the Panel during its visits of inspection held on Friday, 2nd July, 2004.

Panel Members emphasised the importance of being able to monitor the responses to the issues raised at visits of inspection, noting that Heads of Service are required to respond by stating how an issue or a defect is to be rectified, or how a risk is to be managed.

104(17) 

ALTERATIONS TO DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

The Health, Welfare and Safety Panel agreed to the following alterations to the scheduled meetings:-

Friday, 21st January, 2005 (instead of 14th January)

Friday, 15th April, 2005 (instead of 8th April)