Health and Safety performance report

Report: 11
Date: 13 September 2010
By: Director of Human Resources and Director of Resources on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report provides an overview of Health & Safety Performance.

A. Recommendation

That members note the contents of this report.

B. Supporting information

General Health and Safety performance update

Summary of injuries reported on the Metropolitan Police Accident and Incident Reporting System (MetAIR)

1. A comparison of injuries reported on the Metropolitan Police Accident and Incident Reporting System (MetAIR) between August 2008 - July 2009 and August 2009 - July 2010 is shown at Appendix 1. In summary comparing these two reference periods indicates that the:

• total accident rate fell by 15.2%;
• major accident rate fell by 7.6%;
•  over three day accident rate fell by 22%;
•  injuries to police officers following assault rate fell by 7.3%;
•  injuries to PCSOs following assault rate fell by 0.3%;
•  slip, trip and fall accident rate fell by 0.6%;
•  moving vehicle accident rate fell by 20.2%.

2. The total number of injuries reported on MetAIR shows a falling trend. The last three months have seen the following total number of injuries recorded on MetAIR - May 559, June 521 and July 507. These figures are lower than the corresponding three months of 2009 (May 595, June 555 and July 552). No accidents involving members of the public were reported in this quarter.

Major and over three day injuries

3. A summary of major injuries reported on MetAIR between April 2008 - March 2009 and April 2009 - March 2010 is shown at Appendix 2.

4. The period May to July 2010 shows a rise when compared to the corresponding period May to July 2009 (30 major accidents in 2009 compared to 43 major accidents in 2010). There is no obvious causal trend for this increase compared with the same period in 2009. This will be monitored and where appropriate further analysis undertaken.

 5. Of the 43 major accidents recorded on MetAIR between May and July 2010:

•  34% slipped tripped or fell (inc from height);
•  28% were physically assaulted;
•  23% were classified as ‘another kind of accident’;
•  9% were injured while handling lifting or carrying;
•  2% hit something fixed or stationary;
•  2% were hit by a moving object;
•  2% were injured by an animal.

6. Training accidents accounted for 11% of the major injuries during this quarter. In summary a breakdown of these accidents against training activity is as follows:

•  80% Officer Safety Training (OST);
•  20% Public Order Training.

7. A summary of the over three day injuries reported on MetAIR between August 2008 - July 2009 and August 2009 - July 2010 is shown at Appendix 3.

8. There was a decrease in the number of reported over three day injuries from 83 in May 2010 to 68 in June and July 2010, as demonstrated in the table below. The annual rolling average for the year is still decreasing significantly and the figures represent a decrease on the same period last year (May 2009 – 94 injuries; June 2009 – 79 injuries; July 2009 - 86 injuries).

•  Of the 219 over 3 day injuries recorded:
  •  36% were as a result of what is classed as ‘another kind of accident’;
  •  21% were as a result of being hit by a moving vehicle;
  •  17% were as a result of slips, trips and falls;
  •  10% from being physically assaulted.
•  The remainder of 16% had a wide range of causations with no obvious trends.

Injury following physical assaults on Police Officers and PCSOs

9. A summary of the injuries following assault reported on MetAIR between August 2008 - July 2009 and August 2009 - July 2010 is shown at Appendices 4 and 5.

10. There were 471 injuries following assaults recorded on MetAIR between May 2010 and July 2010, of which:

•  433 were to police officers;
•  38 were to PCSOs.

A monthly breakdown for May - July 2010 is shown in the tables below:

11. The total number of injuries following assault on police officers for May - July 2010 (433) shows a fall of 47 injuries when compared to the same three-month period last year (480); this decrease will be closely monitored to validate any change in overall trend. The breakdown of the assaults on police officers for the reporting period May to July 2010 is as follows:

•  2.7% major injuries;
•  4.1% over 3 day injuries;
•  93.2% minor injuries.

12. The number of PCSOs who reported injuries as a result of being assaulted (38) is slightly more than the same period in 2009 (37). The breakdown of the assaults on PCSOs for the reporting period January to March 2010 is as follows:

•  0% major injuries;
•  7.8% over 3 days injuries;
•  92.2% minor injuries.

13. The slight increase in injuries to PCSOs following assault rate between August 2008 - July 2009 and August 2009 - July 2010 will be closely monitored to validate any change in overall trend.

Slips, trips and falls (including falls from height)

14. A summary of the injuries following slip, trip and falls reported on MetAIR between August 2008 - July 2009 and August 2009 - July 2010, is shown at Appendix 6.

15. There were 223 injuries as a result of slips, trips and falls between May and July 2010. This number is higher than the same period in 2009 (215); this slight increase was not expected. Increases in this injury category often reflect seasonal weather variation which has not been seen this quarter. This will be closely monitored to validate any change in overall trend.

 16. Of the 223 slips, trips and falls:

•  6% were major injuries;
•  16% were over 3 day injuries;
•  78% were minor injuries.

Hit by a Moving Vehicle (including injury from RTAs)

17. A summary of the injuries following staff being hit by moving vehicles (including RTAs) reported on MetAIR between August 2008 - July 2009 and August 2009 - July 2010, is shown at Appendix 7.

18. There was an insignificant fall in the number of injuries following being hit by a moving vehicle from 38 in May 2010 to 30 in July 2010. In the same period in 2009 there was also a decrease (55 to 53). The annual rolling average for this type of accident is in decline.

19. Of 102 injuries:

•  38 were as a result of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) whilst travelling to and from work;
•  the remaining 64 injuries were as a result of injuries sustained during working hours.

Comparison of MPS Accident Rates: 2005 to 2010

20. Following a request of the July MPA Corporate Governance Committee (CGC) meeting an analysis of accidents over the period 2005-2010 has been undertaken. A comparison of injury rates for RIDDOR reportable, minor, and total accidents are shown at Appendices 8, 9 and 10. The figure for 2010 has been forecast based on the average 7 months data available.

21. In summary over the period 2005-2010:

•  RIDDOR rate has fallen 36%;
•  Minor Accident Rate has fallen 28%;
•  Total Accident Rate has fallen 29%.

22. It is reasonable to conclude that the decline in accident rates can be associated with an increasingly mature health and safety culture within the MPS.

Replacement of the MetAIR System under transforming HR

23. The replacement MetAIR system under the THR project is integral to the THR IT solution. Therefore the delay in THR go-live directly affects the delivery of the MetAIR replacement. The indicative THR launch date is scheduled for the second half of 2010. It is still anticipated that the new MetAIR system will go live during this period.

External Independent Audit Working Group

24. The Strategic Health and Safety Committee have formed a working group to review the recommendations arising from the External Independent Health and Safety Audit. The working group has prioritised the recommendations and formulated a strategy for their implementation. The proposed strategy will been considered at the next MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee in September 2010.

Contact with the HSE

25. The SHRMT are liaising with the HSE on the following:

•  The SHRMT and Specialist Operations met a delegation from the HSE and specialists from the Health and Safety Laboratory to explore options for quantifying the impact of work patterns and fatigue;
•  Allegation of a lack of compliance with safe working practices on manual handling tasks;
•  RIDDOR report relating to a non MPS related crush injury;
•  Security arrangements at the Palace of Westminster.

26. Notting Hill Carnival

The SHRMT plan to deploy and support the Central Operations Planning Team (CO11) and Gold Commander to assess noise at the Notting Hill Carnival (NHC). At the time of writing this report, plans and activity include the following:

•  SHRMT plan to deploy two noise monitoring teams on Monday 30th August. These teams will consist of SHRMT staff supplemented by a member of the Central First Aid Team and appointed noise consultants. The teams will conduct a range of noise monitoring and mapping within the NHC footprint. In addition, the teams will be available to provide safety support to any ‘live’ issues;
•  A cohort of around 40 officers will be fitted with personal noise dosimeters. These officers will also receive a hearing test both pre and post carnival;
•  Moulded earpieces are to be issued to supervisors and those requiring communications as per previous Carnivals;
•  ‘E.A.R.’ ‘Push ins’ earplugs are to be issued to all other officers/staff;
•  A NHC noise information leaflet will be issued to all officers/staff attending this year’s event
•  Gold has stipulated that all officers/staff must wear their hearing protection whenever noise is sufficiently loud to interfere with ordinary conversation with someone no further than one metre away.

Police Officer Vehicle Related Accidents travelling to and from work

27. Following on from the report to the MPA CGC meeting on the 14 June 2010, the HR Organisational Development Unit have completed a survey of vehicle related accidents whilst travelling to and from work. Some 325 officers, over the previous two years who had been involved in an accident whilst travelling to or from work, were sent a questionnaire. Some 180 officers (55%) responded. At the time of writing the data from the survey was under analysis and the findings will be reported to the September MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee. The final report will be submitted to the MPA CGC once complete.

Airwave Health Study

28. Airwave is a digital radio communications system designed for the police services of England, Wales and Scotland. It utilises the Terrestrial Trunked Radio system (TETRA) which is technically similar to the technology used for mobile phones. Airwave communication is achieved by using hand held and vehicle terminals which communicate through static or mobile base stations, this function is known as Trunked Mode Operation (TMO). Terminals can also communicate with each other without utilising a base station and this function is known as Direct Mode Operation (DMO).

29. There have been concerns regarding the possible health effects of those who use TETRA radios and there is a large amount of conflicting information available to users that can be confusing.

30. In 2000 the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones published a report known as the Stewart Report, on Mobile Phones and health. The report found no obvious health effects associated with mobile phones, but did mention that radio signals with modulations around 16Hz might have an effect on the body. The report said that the evidence was inconclusive and recommended precaution.

31. Because the signals from Airwave handsets contain a modulation at 17.6Hz the Home Office asked the Advisory Group on Non Ionising Radiation (AGNIR) for further advice. AGNIR concluded that it was unlikely that the specific features of TETRA technology would pose a risk to health, but made recommendations for further research.

32. The Home Office accepted these recommendations, and commissioned further research into the possible health effects of using TETRA by the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Imperial College London. The study is funded by the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) and has the support of the Police Federation, Unison and the participating police forces.

32. The study was given the title “Airwave Health Monitoring Study” (AHMS). The aim of the AHMS is to investigate any possible long term health impacts associated with Airwave use amongst police officers and staff.

33. The AHMS has also been approved by the North West Ethics Research Committee, an NHS body. It has its own Ethical Governance committee that includes independent academics and a lay person nominated by the Police Federation.

34. The AHMS are extremely keen to include the MPS in the study. Participation in this study has been endorsed by the MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee. The Committee has formed a working group to quantify the resource, cost implications, and to liaise with Imperial College regarding possible MPS participation.

Property services Health and Safety performance update

Summary of Building Related Accidents and Incidents Reported to Property Services

35. Between April 2010 and June 2010 there were 5 RIDDOR reportable accidents and 42 minor property related accidents involving MPA/MPS staff reported on MetAir.

36. Between April and June 2010 there were 12 RIDDOR reportable accidents and 21 minor reported accidents involving employees of Property Services contractors. In the same period Property Services contractors reported 81 near miss incidents. The increase in the number of Near Miss / Hazardous Situations reported is due to the contractors Changing Attitudes Towards Safety (CATS) reporting system which encourages employees to report any unsafe acts which could have resulted in accidents if the situation had been left uncontrolled. The data is analysed for trends and to determine where further health and safety training / procedures are required.

37. No property accidents or incidents involving members of the public have been report during this period.

Halon replacement

38. The Home Office Scientific Branch advise that following their discussions with DEFRA and the EU Commission relating to granting an extended exemption to continue to use halon as a fire extinguisher medium, the relevant dates for police use of halon have been extended and an end date of 31st December 2013 has been agreed.

Senior Designated Officer (SDO) and Nominated Officer (NO) Training Process

39. The Property Services Compliance Team arranged a pilot SDO workshop training course on the 22nd July 2010 attended by MPS Federation, trade unions, current SDOs and Health and Safety Advisors. A considerable amount of feedback was received with a view to finalising the content of this course. The revised course content will be submitted to the MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee for approval.

Access by Authorised Personnel – To High Risk Areas

40. The Property Services Compliance Team is continue to liaise with DoI to evaluate and confirm the technical compatibility of the nominated electronic controlled access system and also to consider if any alternative solutions are available.

41. It is a statutory requirement that only authorised personnel can gain access to restricted areas of the MPS estate e.g. confined spaces, plant rooms, boiler/electrical distribution rooms, and roof areas.

Notifications Property Service Compliance Teams to HSE and Enforcing Authorities

42. The MPA/MPS has been in contact with the HSE/Enforcing Authorities regarding the following specific incidents:

•  HSE have advised that they wish to re-inspect the gantry access work to the NSY Cooling Tower and they will advise when this inspection is to take place;
•  The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) had issued two contraventions of regulations notices in respect of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002/Petrolum (Consolidation) Act for fuel sites at Alperton Garage and Hendon. This matter has now been successfully concluded and no further action is required;
•  Following an alleged incident at a police station, a Police Federation union representative has contacted the HSE and requested that MPS provide him with statutory certification relating to the inspection of a passenger lift. The HSE Inspector advised the MPS of this request and arrangements are in place to provide the representative with the documentation.

C. Other organisational and community implications

Equality and diversity impact

1. There are no immediate implications on equality and diversity arising from this report. The team will monitor all health and safety matters, including MetAir statistics, to determine whether there is any disproportionate impact on any particular group, and, where there is, take appropriate action.

Consideration of MET Forward

2. Although this report has no direct implications for the delivery of Met Forward, ensuring the health and safety of all our staff will impact on our ability to deliver an effective policing service to Londoners. The report outlines the MPS’s health and safety performance and outlines steps to continue to reduce accidents. The process of review will drive service improvement saving both time and cost.

Financial implications

 3. To date, trials for halon replacement extinguishers have indicated that there will be additional costs and changes to operational procedures. The exact costs are unknown at this time.

4. There will be a cost implication for the provision of the approved mandatory training for SDOs and Nominated Persons. The exact costs are currently being confirmed by the Property Services Compliance Team.

5. A reserve of £200k has been created for the installation of an access control system to high risk areas within the MPS estate and this will be utilised to proceed with the implementation of this project. This is part of a larger £800k PSD reserve for the Statutory Energy Performance allocation set up as part of the 2007/08 Year-End reserve process.

6. The costs associated with the activities in this report are covered by existing budgets within PSD and across the MPS

Legal implications

7. The information in this report assists the MPA in the performance of its duties under Health and Safety legislation and of its strategic oversight role as set out in the joint MPA/MPS Corporate Health and Safety Policy.

Environmental implications

8. There are no immediate environmental implications from this report.

Risk implications

9. At the time of reporting there are no immediate significant health and safety implications arising from this update report.

D. Background papers

None

E. Contact details

Report author: Nick Kettle, Head of Safety and Health Risk Management and Peter Brown, Assistant Director – Head of Compliance, Property Services, MPS

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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