Agenda item

The Health and Safety Adviser presented the report to the Committee.

The total number of Council employee accidents in Quarter 3 2024/25 was 8. This compared to 6 accidents during Quarter 3 of 2023/24.  Employee accidents occurred in the following service areas: Streetscene (7); and Finance (1).

The types of incidents were: slips/trips/falls on the same level (6); cuts & abrasions (1); and contact with moving machinery (1).  2 of these were RIDDOR reportable as they totalled 47 lost days (each involving lost time of over 7 days).

The number of near misses reported during Quarter 3 2024/25 was 1 (near miss with no injury).

The report provided further details of the dates, locations, etc. of incidents.

The total number of accidents reported by members of the public was 43 (none serious enough to be RIDDOR reportable).  Although all incidents occurred across Leisure Services, it was noted in the report that the average quarterly footfall in Go!Active was 85,958 people.

The Health and Safety Adviser informed there was 1 near miss, 1 accident and 1 other incident reported by Dragonfly Development Ltd. (DDL) & Dragonfly Development Management (DDM) during Quarter 3 2024/25.

The 1 near miss was a result of a ladder clamp coming loose and landing onto a van roof.  From this, new ladder clamps had been ordered.

For the 1 other incident, the trespass at the Roseland Crematorium, Shirebrook, the Committee were informed all trespasses were logged and investigated.

Graphs were available in the report visually detailing the total accidents / incidents by month, Employee accidents by month, and the Employee accident types recorded.

The Health and Safety Adviser shared that during Quarter 3 2024/25, 21 Council employees received the following training: IOSH Managing Safely (3); First Aid (6); Sharps Awareness (8); and Accident Investigation (4).

6 recharges were made for unattended training places.  Reasons included: delegate sent apologies too late for the place to be reallocated (1); delegate removed by Manager to attend other duties (4); and, no message received from delegate regarding absence (1).

During Quarter 3 2024/25, 4 DDL / DDM employees received the following training: IOSH Managing Safely (1); Sharps Awareness (1); and Accident Investigation (2).  1 recharge for nonattendance was made – removed by Manager to attend other duties.

The report detailed inspections carried out at Council locations and DDL sites.

To a question on delegates not attending training due to Managers removing them (to assist in duties), the Health and Safety Adviser confirmed these removals from training courses were investigated – no recharges would be made if these removals could not be avoided.

A Member thanked Officers for the report and asked what inspections were made at DDL sites.  The Health and Safety Adviser explained at sites like Woburn & Pendean, Blackwell, and the Roseland Crematorium, Shirebrook, these were construction sites with full inspections of work and documentation taking place.

For the other sites listed, these were DDM (Housing Repairs and Maintenance) in nature.  Inspections included void properties and of repair staff and hired private contractors.  These were to ensure the correct provision, usage and maintenance of equipment, as well as the correct paperwork being completed.

Referring back to Managers pulling delegates from training to assist in duties, the Strategic Director of Services informed, with regards to Streetscene, due to staff shortages some refuse collectors would have to be pulled from training to carry out duties.  It was stressed the removal of delegates for duties was never taken lightly.

To a question from the Chair regarding Union representation taking part in inspections, the UNISON Convenor confirmed Union representatives were invited and attended these inspections.

Moved by Councillor Tom Munro and seconded by Chris McKinney (UNISON)

RESOLVED that: 1) Safety Committee Members note the Health and Safety updates and provide any appropriate advice to officers on this work stream;

2)    Safety Committee members be assured that good Health and Safety management remains a key performance priority for Bolsover District Council.