To consider Report CFO/049/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the content of the Annual Health, Safety and Welfare report, which details the performance of the Authority against its performance indicators for Health, Safety and Welfare for the financial year 2018/19.

Members considered Report CFO/049/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the content of the Annual Health, Safety and Welfare Report, which details the performance of the Authority against its performance indicators for Health, Safety and Welfare for the financial year 2018/19.

Members were provided with a detailed overview of the report, which highlighted information regarding staff injuries. Members were advised that during the year, there were 58 injuries to staff members, with 48 of those remaining in work, indicating that the majority of injuries were minor in nature. Members were informed that this also highlights the positive reporting culture within MFRS.

With regards to injuries occurring during operational activity, Members were advised that out of the 27 injuries reported, only 7 went off duty, with 3 of those related to a non-fault vehicle collision whilst on route to an incident.

It was highlighted to Members that during the year 2018/19, MFRS attended 16,099 operational incidents, supported by 27,145 appliance movements. Working on an average of 4.5 people per appliance, this equates to around 122,000 occasions on which operational staff were exposed to risk during risk critical activity. Therefore, to have only 4 injuries occur that resulted in lost time, is an extremely low figure.

In relation to injuries related to risk critical training, Members were informed that during the year, 110 days of core training were completed, 46 off site exercises; and 2 recruit courses consisting of 15 weeks each. During that period, 7 individuals sustained an injury during risk critical training; and of those 7, only 1 person went off duty for a period of 2 days. Again, when considered against the volume of activity, this is an extremely small amount of injuries.

With regards to the number of duty days lost for operational staff sustaining injury whilst at incidents or during risk critical training, Members were advised that this was a total of 63 days, which is 60 less than the previous year; equating to a 48% reduction.

In relation to injuries sustained by staff whilst conducting routine duties, Members were informed that there were 12 during the year. They were advised that this is a reduction of 5 on the previous year, which demonstrates a downward trend. Of those 12 injuries sustained, Members were advised that 8 of those individuals remained on duty, suggesting that they were minor in nature. They were informed that 4 individuals did go off duty, however this is 4 less; and a 50% reduction, on the previous year.

In relation to operational injuries, it was also highlighted to Members that all were related to individuals over the age of 40.

With regards to non-operational staff injuries, Members were advised that there was a total of 12 during 2018/19, which was an increase of 4 from the previous year. However, they were informed that although there was an increase, all individuals remained on duty.

Members commented that as an Authority, they were concerned about any injuries sustained by staff; and queried whether there is information available that would enable us to see how we compare with other similar authorities with regards to staff injuries.

Members were advised that such information could be collated and reported back to Members at a future meeting. They were re-assured however, that the figures for MFRA are very low. They were also advised that the reporting of near misses is very high and staff are very proactive with regards to improving the safety culture within MFRA.

A further question was raised by Members with regards to sharing of best practice with other authorities. Members were advised that MFRA have instigated the establishment of a regional forum; and that lots of other authorities come and visit MFRA to look at how we manage our health and safety. They were also advised that through the Collaboration Programme Board, Merseyside Police are now looking to implement some of our ways of working with regards to health, safety and welfare.

It was further highlighted to Members that a great deal of positive work, particularly with the representative bodies, takes place through the Health, Safety & Welfare Committee, which has instigated National work.

Clarification was sought by Members with regards to the ridership levels. Members were informed that as part of the proposals within the IRMP Supplement, there were some changes to the establishment, which meant that at non-key stations, appliances would ride with 4 members of staff, whilst at key stations, they would continue to ride with 5 members of staff. Members were reassured that 4 riders is a safe system of work.

Members were then provided with an overview of the Road Traffic Collision section of the report. It was highlighted that MFRA has a fleet of 209 vehicles, which over the year, collectively covered approximately 1.2 million miles.

Members were advised that during the year, there had been 62 RTC’s involving Service vehicles, which was an increase of 6 on the previous year, but was still under target. However it was highlighted to Members that although the number of RTC’s increased by 6 on the previous year, the size of the fleet actually increased by 55 vehicles over the same period.

With regards to the number of fire appliance collisions, whilst responding under blue lights, Members were advised that there were 20 during 2018/19, which is a reduction of 2 on the previous year and 8 under target. It was highlighted to Members that during this period, an additional 20 new blue light response drivers, were introduced into the Service, therefore the reduction in collisions provides evidence that their development is being managed effectively.

Members were further informed that the majority (13 out of 20) of these collisions occurred whilst the vehicles were moving forward at a speed of less than 10mph.

It was highlighted to Members that for all other routine business, MFRA appliances covered in excess of 400,000 miles, with 28 collisions occurring during this activity. They were informed that this is an increase of 8 incidents from the previous year, however the figure is still low when compared to the overall level of activity. In addition, a total of 39 new LGV drivers, have been progressed into the operational environment during this period.

Members were advised that the vast majority of these collisions (20 out of 28) occurred whilst moving forward at a speed under 5mph.

With regards to collisions involving other light vehicles, Members were advised that there were a total of 14 incidents, which is the same number as the previous year. However, it was highlighted to Members that during the same period, the fleet has increased by 55 vehicles; and the total number of miles covered, increased by over 300,000.

Further information was highlighted to Members relating to near miss reporting; and joint workplace inspections.

In relation to the financial implications, Members were informed that the proactive collaborative work with the Legal and Litigation Teams and other internal stakeholders, around reducing accident and injury, has positively impacted on the amount of litigation and repair costs, as well as the additional costs associated with a poor health and safety culture. They were informed that these improvements have also led to a large reduction in insurance premiums, which has had a significant positive impact on the finances of the Authority.

Members Resolved that:

a)    The performance outcomes of the Authority, against its Health, Safety and Welfare performance targets for the period April 2018 to March 2019, be noted.

b)    A further report be brought back to a future meeting, providing a comparison with other similar authorities, around accident and injury figures.