Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Occupational Health and Safety

Manager which provided an update on the council’s Health, Safety and

Wellbeing (HSW) performance for Quarter three 2020/21 (for copy see file of minutes).

The Occupational Health and Safety Manager highlighted the key areas of the report including:

·        Quarter 3 incidents in numbers

·        COVID-19 H&S Update

·        Assurance Auditing

·        Fire Incidents

·        HSE Inspections

·        Open Water Safety

·        Employee Health and Wellbeing

·        Occupational Health Service

·        COVID-19 Activity Data

·        Potentially Violent Persons Register (PVPR)

Councillor Temple asked if there had been any changes to the number of psychological work related incidents for staff working from home. The Occupational Health and Safety Manager advised that despite psychology studies reporting a detrimental impact, there had been many positives as staff have embraced home working in terms of improved work/life balance. Overall statistics show there has been a decrease in psychological work related incidents. A further review would be needed to fully understand the effects of different ways of working and the lessons learnt during the last year.

Responding to a question from the Chair regarding safety messages relating to open water safety, the Occupational Health and Safety Manager advised that messages regarding cold water shock were communicated by regional organisations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS). He added that there were ongoing communications regarding control measures.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.