Health and Safety Performance Report

Report: 13
Date: 10 March 2011
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 January 2009 - December 2009 and January 2010 - December 2010 is shown at Appendix 1. In summary comparing these two reference periods indicates that the:

• total accident rate fell by 1.1%;
• major accident rate rose by 18.2%;
• over three day accident rate fell by 20%;
• injuries to police officers following assault rate increased by 1.8%;
• injuries to PCSOs following assault rate increased by 7.4%;
• slip, trip and fall accident rate rose by 1.2%;
• moving vehicle accident rate fell by 15.7%.

2. No accidents to members of the public were reported in this three month period.

Major and over three day injuries

4. A summary of major injuries reported on MetAIR between January 2009 - December 2009 and January 2010 - December 2010 is shown at Appendix 2.

5. The period October to December 2010 shows a reduction when compared to the corresponding period October to December 2009 (46 major accidents in 2009 compared to 35 major accidents in 2010).

6. Of the 35 major accidents recorded on MetAIR between October and December 2010:

• 34.3% slipped tripped or fell (inc from height);
• 34.3% were physically assaulted;
• 14.3% Hit by a moving, flying or falling object
• 11.4% were classified as ‘another kind of accident’;
• 5.7% hit something fixed or stationary;

7. Further analysis of the rise in major accidents over this two year reference period indicates an increase associated with the resent assaults (mainly associated with the student protests) and slip, trip, falls owing to the extreme inclement weather conditions.

8. Training accidents accounted for 5% of the major injuries during this three month period. In summary a breakdown of these accidents against training activity is as follows:

• 50% mounted branch tactical training;
• 50% fitness training.

9. A summary of the over three day injuries reported on MetAIR between January 2009 - December 2009 and January 2010 - December 2010 is shown at Appendix 3.

10. There was a decrease in the number of reported over three day injuries from 72 in October 2010 to 29 in December 2010, as demonstrated in the table below. The annual rolling average for the year is in decline and the figures represent a decrease on the same period last year (October 2009 – 92 injuries; November 2009 - 91 injuries and December - 60 injuries).

• Of the 131 over three day injuries recorded:
  • 30.5% were as a result of what is classed as ‘another kind of accident’
  • 24.4% from being physically assaulted.
  • 14.5% were as a result of being hit by a moving vehicle;
  • 12.2% were as a result of slips, trips and falls.
• The remaining of 18.4% had a wide range of causations with no obvious trends.

Injury Following Physical Assaults on Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)

11. A summary of the injuries following assault reported on MetAIR between January 2009 - December 2009 and January 2010 - December 2010 is shown at Appendices 4 and 5.

12. There were 556 injuries following assaults recorded on MetAIR between October 2010 and December 2010, of which:

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

A monthly breakdown for October to December 2010 is shown in the tables below:

13. The total number of injuries following assault on police officers for October to December 2010 (517) shows an increase of 85 injuries when compared to the same three-month period last year (432). The breakdown of the assaults on police officers for the reporting period October to December 2010 is as follows:

• 2.4% major injuries;
• 4.7% over 3 day injuries;
• 92.9% minor injuries.

14. The number of PCSOs who reported injuries as a result of being assaulted (38) is slightly more than the same period in 2009 (34). The breakdown of the assaults on PCSOs for the reporting period October to December 2010 is as follows:

• 8% over 3 days injuries;
• 92% minor injuries.

Student Tuition Fees Demonstrations

15. Injuries reported on MetAIR related to the student tuition fees demonstrations over the period November and December 2010 indicate a total of 179 police officer injuries were sustained. A breakdown by severity is as follows:

• 163 minor injuries
• 11 over 3 day injuries
• 5 major injuries

16. The main causational factors were as follows:

• 93 assaults with injury;
• 51 hit by moving or flying objects;
• 36 a wide variety of causes.

17. The Safety and Health Risk Management Team (SHRMT) continue to support and where appropriate supply accident figures to Operation Malone (investigation of the disorder and violence at the student tuition fees demonstrations).

Slips, trips and falls (including falls from height)

18. A summary of the injuries following slip, trip and falls reported on MetAIR between January 2009 - December 2009 and January 2010 - December 2010, is shown at Appendix 6.

19. There were 304 injuries as a result of slips, trips and falls between October and December 2010. This number is lower than the same period in 2009 (318).

20. Of the 304 slips, trips and falls:

• 4.8% were major injuries;
• 5.1% were over 3 day injuries;
• 90.1% were minor injuries.

Hit by a Moving Vehicle (including injury from RTAs)

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

22. There was a rise in the number of injuries following being hit by a moving vehicle from 34 in October 2010 to 45 in December 2010. In the same period in 2009 there was also an increase (51 to 56). The annual rolling average for this type of accident is in decline.

23. Of 122 injuries:

• 37 were as a result of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) whilst traveling to and from work;
• the remaining 85 injuries were as a result of RTAs during working hours.

Replacement of the MetAIR System under Transforming HR

24. The replacement MetAIR system under the THR project was launched on 09 November 2010. As with any new system of this size and complexity, SHRMT have experienced some challenges in relation to the software operation but these are being swiftly identified for planned resolution. The basic MetAIR accident recording functionality works, including the generation of RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) reports for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). SHRMT are currently conducting a review of the first two months of data records and system operation. SHRMT are also in the process of validating data extraction and have completed an analysis of report functionality.

Contact with the HSE

25. The SHRMT are continuing to liaise with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on the security arrangements at the Palace of Westminster.

Core Health and Safety Training

26. The DAC Leadership and Training has approved action to bring Core HR Sponsored H&S training in-house as opposed to delivery by contractor based training. This will deliver a 22% budget saving. It is planned that this new training team will be fully operational by July 2011.

ACPO Health Safety and Welfare Strategic Group

27. The Head of SHRMT has been appointed as a MPS representative to this ACPO Committee. The next ACPO meeting is scheduled for 02 March 2010.

Assurance Process

28. The final phase of the MPA/MPS Health and Safety Assurance Process was accepted by the MPA Corporate Governance Committee in July and the Strategic Health and Safety Committee in September. During this stage of the process OCU Commanders and Heads of Department have given statements of Assurance to their Assistant Commissioner or Business Group Director. The SHRMT (senior safety advisors) and Property Services Compliance Team (PSCT) for the Directorate of Resources are verifying these letters of assurance by dip sampling. The next milestone is March 2011 when the Senior Safety Advisors report to their respective Assistant Commissioners and Business Group Directors. This process provides key health and safety assurance to the Management Board, Commissioner and MPA.

External Independent Audit

29. 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 Strategic Health and Safety Committee on the 07 September 2010 endorsed the proposed strategy and work plan to implement the audit report recommendations. The MPA Corporate Governance Committee received the MPS strategy and work plan on the 02 December 2010. The MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee have now included this work in the MPS Health and Safety plan.

Imperial College Airwave Health Study

30. Participation in this study has been endorsed by the MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee. The MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee has formed a working group to quantify the resource, cost implications, and to liaise with Imperial College regarding possible MPS participation. A report was submitted to the MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee in December 2010. It is anticipated that a final paper with resource implications will go to the MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee in March 2011 with an aspiration to commence participation in the study in April 2011.

Clinical Governance

31. The MPS has formed a Clinical Governance Advisory Board. The Board consists of clinical experts from the National Health Service, London Ambulance Service and Ministry of Defence. The MPS is represented at Supt rank from key stakeholders and the SHRMT Senior Advisor First Aid. The Board is required for the MPS to retain its firearms licence and will give broad spectrum clinical advice on first aid delivery, training and validation across all operational areas of the MPS.

Suicide Awareness and Prevention

32. At the December MPS Corporate Governance Committee (CGC) it was reported that in September OH launched a ‘one-click system’ to equip managers and staff with basic skills to recognise the symptoms that may indicate potential suicide. The site also provides advice and assistance in the development of intervention strategies. The MPA CGC sought additional detail on the site and its use.

33. The site has been accessed as follows between its September launch and 31 December 2010.

34. The welcome page lists key symptoms and offers a range of support solutions. Secondary links provide access to meet the specific needs of the individual, manager, colleague and trades union/Federation representatives.

Property Services Health and Safety performance update - summary of building related accidents and incidents reported to Property Services

Summary of Building Related Accidents and Incidents Reported to Property Services

35. Between October 2010 and December 2010 there were 2 reportable accidents (major and over three day accidents) and 58 minor property related accidents involving MPA/MPS staff reported on MetAir.

36. Between October 2010 and December 2010 there were 5 reportable accidents and 24 minor reported accidents involving employees of Property Services contractors. In the same period Property Services contractors reported 34 near miss incidents. 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 reported during this period.

Pan Met Procurement Procedures - Health and Safety Compliance

38. The review of health and safety compliance relating to the MPS procurement processes and procedures has resulted in the current business case template forms and associated procurement documents being amended to include health and safety headings. The Property Services Head of Compliance continues to chair a working group meeting scheduled to meet again in March 2011 where this matter should be concluded.

Pan Met - Working at Heights (Non Operational)

39. Two awareness training courses relating to compliance with the Work at Height Regulations are to take place in February 2011 and invites have been issued to relevant DoR employees and members of the main MPS Operational Steering Group (chaired by Commander Broadhurst). The Property Services Head of Compliance continues to chair a Working at Heights Working Group (for non operational activity). The working group is reviewing a range of issues to minimise the risk of working at height across the estate with progress being monitored by the MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee.

Compliance Audits - MPA/ MPS Estate

40. This item is an action highlighted by the Directorate of Resources (DoR) Health and Safety Letter of Assurance. A series of meetings have been undertaken with SHRMT and Facilities Management (FM)to further discuss and conclude this item. The Property Services Head of Compliance continues to develop an audit process to enable the confirmation of statutory compliance within each of the MPA/MPS buildings. It is planned to commence the piloting of the revised statutory audit process and procedures in April 2011.

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

41. In December 2010 the MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee approved that this training should commence in February/March2011, being provided by an appointed external trainer. The course content and supporting documentation have been prepared and a contract has been awarded to an approved supplier. The course content will continue to be subject to improvement and consultation by the Federation, Trades Unions, current SDO’s and health and safety professionals.

Pan Met Register of Health & Safety/ Fire Appointed Persons

42. Following the December 2010 Strategic Health and safety Committee meeting, each of the MPS Business Groups confirmed that their respective areas has submitted SDO, NO, Responsible Persons (RP) nominees and the register was confirmed as being 100% complete. The PSCT are the custodians of this register and will continue to update the register when advised of changes in role holders. The responsibility for advising Property Services of nominations and changes to the register remains with local management, i.e. Borough Commanders and members of Senior Management.

MPA/ MPS Control of Contractors Procedures

43. In order to comply with an external independent health & safety audit recommendation the PSCT are leading a steering group to produce and implement a pan Met control of contractors procedure. This document builds on existing Property Services procedures and documentation. Meetings are held regularly, the next one being scheduled for March 2011 when the final Standing Operating Procedures for this process will be presented for approval.

Resources Health and Safety Assurance Process

44. The 2010 Resources health and safety assurance process has been concluded and a confirmation audit successfully undertaken by the PSCT. The Head of PSCT is now currently liaising with relevant Property Services Heads of Department to assist in the preparation of statements for this Financial Year assurance statements. Resources Directorate are on schedule to submit a letter of assurance to the Commissioner in April 2011.

Police Federation Consultation - Escalation of Issues

45. Senior Federation representatives continue to raise and escalate various building health and safety issues including Planned preventative maintenance, design, risk assessment of automated safety barriers and statutory inspections etc. PSCT takes a proactive approach to concerns raised by the Federation and have arranged an ongoing series of quarterly meetings with the senior Federation members to discuss and address their concerns. The first of these meetings is scheduled to take place on the 9th February 2011. The Federation has also been advised that a range of Property Services specialists are available to provide information guidance and assistance as necessary.

Notifications to HSE and Enforcing Authorities

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

• The HSE continue to routinely audit the six cooling towers located across the MPS estate. Three cooling towers have successfully been audited and the three remaining towers located at Jubilee House, Amelia Street and Tintagel House will be subject to HSE audit over the next six months to ensure that legionella controls and procedures are compliant with the current legally approved code of practice;
• Following the Police Federation submitting various allegations to the HSE concerning MPS non compliance with statutory duty and inadequate management of Facilities Maintenance Services (FMS) contractors, a meeting was held with HSE on the 26th Nov 2010. Following this meeting a range of related issues identified have been subject to a comprehensive review. Areas for improvement and increased efficiency have been identified and these items have either been appropriately addressed or are being progressed. A detailed letter of response was forwarded to HSE by the Head of Compliance on the 26th January 2011. HSE acknowledged receipt of the correspondence and their formal response is expected shortly.
• Following a HSE Inspection of the LPG bulk storage tanks at Lippitts Hill site the inspector required that the underground supply pipe should be replaced with an upgraded specification within the next six months. An order has been placed and this project is being progressed as part of the forward works plan.

Construction Design Management Coordinator (CDMC)

47. In January 2011 a contractor, Turner Townsend, were appointed as the new MPS CDMC and were awarded a three year contract. CDMC processes and procedures have been confirmed and awareness training has been arranged for relevant Property Services personnel for the second week in February 2011.

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 resources.

Financial Implications

3. There will be a cost implication for the provision of the approved mandatory training for SDOs and NOs. The exact costs are currently being confirmed by the PSCT.

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

Legal Implications

5. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK. There are also various statutory instruments made under the Act relating to the working environment.

6. 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

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

Risk Implications

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

D. Background papers

None

E. Contact details

Report author: Nick Kettle, Head of Safety and Health Risk Management Team 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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