Emma Walker to provide Committee with a verbal update.
Minutes:
E Walker updated the Committee on the Health & Safety issues being managed by the Council. She confirmed that P O’Day had left DBC on 1 December. She said that recruitment to his role had been unsuccessful, but advised that his interim replacement was Hayley Ramsay. E Walker said that the post would be advertised in the New Year.
She said that work was continuing in the following twelve work streams, with a thirteenth recently added:
Lone working
E Walker said that companies were being invited in to demonstrate lone working devices (which would also be trialled) for the re-tender process for following year.
Adventure PlayGround
E Walker told the Committee that unannounced audits would be conducted in Q1 to ensure that working practices were fully absorbed and being put into practice, and that the appropriate documentation was correctly completed.
Vehicle Repair Workshop (VRS)
E Walker said that Corporate Health and Safety had assisted S J Smith in reviewing lifting equipment risk assessments and implementation. She said that several Skilled Technicians posts would be recruited in January 2018.
Noise
E Walker said that the newly drafted ‘Noise at work’ policy had been approved by CMT on 7 November; it had been communicated to the relevant service areas.
E Walker said that Clean, Safe & Green (CSG) equipment had been assessed; new ear defenders had been purchased and the majority of the equipment could be used without reaching the Noise action levels. She said that, with the exception on the chainsaws, the equipment would require monitoring to ensure they were not used for excessive time periods by a single operator.
She also said that Old Town Hall sound absorbing foam panels were to be installed in the DJ’s booth.
Whole Body Vibration
E Walker told the Committee that the ‘Whole Body Vibration’ policy had also been approved by CMT on 7 November. Again, this had been circulated to the relevant service areas.
Contractor Safety
E Walker told the Committee that work continued to progress on this especially with regard to CDM projects. She said that three areas had been focused; on Pre Tender, Tender Award and Contract Monitoring.
Occupational Health
E Walker said that four companies had put forward submissions for tender for the new contract; this process was ongoing. A meeting was due to take place the following week with E Walker, A Stunell and M Rawdon to discuss the tenders.
Asbestos Management
E Walker advised the Committee that the draft ‘Asbestos Management’ plans had been submitted to the forthcoming Corporate H&S Committee for approval in the near future.
Training:
Awareness of Health & Safety Risk Assessments: E Walker said that two courses had been run and feedback was very positive.
Introduction to Manual Handling: E Walker said that three courses have been run. Feedback was very positive.
Sharps Training: One course had already taken place; another was due to take place on 6 December (Conference room 2) at the Forum starting 10:00am to 12:00noon.
Legionella Awareness Training: E Walker advised that this course was now being run in Q3.
E Walker asked the Committee if there were any further questions; none were forthcoming. The Chair thanked her for the update.