To consider report CFO/072/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the Annual Health, Safety & Welfare Report which details the performance of the Authority against its performance indicators for Health Safety and Welfare for financial year 2017/18.

Members considered report CFO/072/18 of the Chief Fire Officer concerning the content of the Annual Health, Safety & Welfare Report which details the performance of the Authority against its performance indicators for Health Safety and Welfare for financial year 2017/18.

A brief overview of the report was provided to Members relating to the following:

Staff Injuries

·      It was identified that there were 51 injuries to staff members for the period of 2017-18.  33 of these individuals remained in work, which ascertains they were minor injuries in nature.  This shows a positive reporting culture within MFRS.

·      42 injuries were to operational staff and 26 of the individuals remained on duty, which again highlights they were minor in nature.  A further 9 returned to work within a week.

·      The largest single injury type was “injured while handling, lifting or carrying”.

·      There were 9 injuries to non-operational staff recorded in 2017/18 which is the first time this has been recorded as a single figure. The common cause of these injuries were burns.  7 of the individuals remained on duty which highlights they were minor in nature.  The two who were absent returned to work within a week.

·      324 days were lost to injuries at work for 2017-18, although 224 of these days relate to 3 individuals who have a long term absence.

Road Traffic Collisions (RTC) involving Authority vehicles

·      A total of 57 RTC's involving were recorded in 2017/18 which was under target by 23%, meaning a 19% decrease on the previous year.

·      All RTC's are reviewed on a monthly basis at the Road Risk Review Group who collectively decide on the appropriate course of action to be taken. 

Near miss reporting

·         There was an increase of 35 near miss reports this year which is encouraging as early reporting of issues helps reduce the potential of injuries.  The high reporting reflects a positive Health & Safety culture within MFRA.

Joint workplace inspections

·         54 H&S joint workplace inspections were carried out with Trade Union Safety Representatives. 

Members enquired about the incident were one firefighter was struck by a vehicle at the scene of a RTC after a third party ignored road restrictions and it was suggested that this case could be used as an example for media purposes in the future, so it does not happen again. 

Members were advised that a report would be submitted to the next Scrutiny Committee about this incident and the outcome of it in relation to criminal proceedings. 

Members were reminded that considering MFRS attended over 15000 incidents last year, the number of injuries show that MFRA continues to be a safe place to work. 

Members expressed concern regarding the largest injury type being handling or lifting; and they were advised that every member of staff receives manual handling training, which is monitored.  There are also procedures in place such as warm ups before duties to help reduce this type of injury. 

Members enquired about the processes of advanced driving courses and standard driving.  Members were advised that all employees must have a full driving licence to drive a service vehicle.  Employees that do have a full licence are also required to have a medical and complete a vehicle validation.  Response vehicle drivers must pass an Emergency Fire Appliance Driver course.  All drivers are reviewed and re-evaluated and how often depends on how much they use service vehicles.  There are also trackers on vehicles to support driving practices and check speed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Members asked if every accident is investigated and were advised that all incidents are recorded on the Health and Safety system.  Members requested some more information regarding this process and it was suggested that this could be demonstrated to them in the future. 

Members also commented on recent incidents at which firefighters have been attacked, or fire appliances have been vandalised. They condemned such behaviour which they considered to be assault, rather than just anti-social behaviour. 

Members resolved that:

a)    the content of the Annual Health, Safety & Welfare Report for the period April 2017 to March 2018, be noted.

b)    the performance outcomes of the Authority against its Health Safety & Welfare performance targets for the period April 2017 to March 2018, be noted.

c)    a report be submitted to the next Scrutiny Committee on 17^th January 2019, regarding an RTC incident at which a firefighter was struck by a third party. 

the process regarding accident reporting, investigation and the monitoring of trends, be considered at the next Scrutiny Committee for Operational Response on 17^th January 2019.