Health and safety performance report

Report: 11
Date: 10 October 2011
By: Director of Resources on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report provides an overview of Health & Safety Performance.

A. Recommendation

that Members note the content 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 MetAIR between August 2009 and July 2010, and between August 2010 and July 2011, is shown at Appendix 1. In summary comparing these two reference periods indicates that the:

• total accident rate fell by 8.8%;
• major accident rate fell by 11.5%;
• over three day accident rate fell by 50.7%;
• injuries to police officers following assault rate decreased by 6.5%;
• injuries to Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) following assault rate increased by 2.2%;
• slip, trip and fall accident rate fell by 17.3%;
• moving vehicle accident rate fell by 7.3%.

Total Injuries recorded

2. The period May to July 2011 shows a reduction when compared to the corresponding period in 2010 (1,536 injuries in 2011 compared to 1,633 injuries in 2010).

These figures are significantly lower than for the corresponding three months of 2010 (May 564, June 529 and July 540).

Major injuries

3. A summary of major injuries reported on MetAIR between August 2009 to July 2010 and August 2010 to July 2011 is shown at Appendix 2.

4. The period May to July 2011 shows a reduction when compared to the corresponding period May to July 2010 (36 major accidents in 2011 compared to 43 major accidents in 2010).

5. Of the 36 major accidents recorded on MetAIR between May and June 2011:

• 15 were physically assaulted;
• 12 slipped tripped or fell (inc from height);
• 6 were classified as ‘another kind of accident’;
• 3 injured while lifting, handling or carrying;

Despite the month on month increases between May and July, the overall trend continues to show slight decline when analysing the two year comparison (August 2009 to July 2010, and between August 2010 to July 2011). There is no obvious causational factor at this stage for the apparent increase in July 2011 but it is worthy of note that the figures for May and June are significantly below the monthly average for this accident category.

6. Training accidents accounted for 3 of the major injuries during this three month period. These accidents were sustained during Officer Safety training.

Over 3-day injuries

7. A summary of the over three day injuries reported on MetAIR between August 2009 to July 2010 and August 2010 to July 2011 is shown at Appendix 3.

8. The period May to July 2011 shows a decrease when compared to the corresponding period May to July 2010 (80 injuries in 2011 compared to 219 in 2010). This significant decrease reflects the change in the quality assurance process, undertaken by advisors from the MPS Safety and Health Risk Management Team (SHRMT), since the replacement MetAIR system was introduced under the Transforming Human Resources (THR) project in November 2010.

• Of the 80 over three day injuries recorded:
  • 25 were as a result of what is classed as “another kind of accident”;
  • 16 were as a result of slips, trips and falls;
  • 14 were as a result of being hit by a moving vehicle;
  • 13 were as a result of physical assaults.
• The remaining of 12 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 2009 to July 2010 and August 2010 to July 2011 is shown at Appendices 4 and 5.

10. There were 492 injuries following assaults recorded on MetAIR between May 2011 and July 2011, of which:

• 458 were to police officers;
• 34 were to PCSOs.

A monthly breakdown for May to July 2011 is shown in the tables below:

11. The total number of injuries following assault on police officers for May to July 2011 (458) shows an increase of 25 injuries when compared to the same three-month period in 2010 (433). The breakdown of the assaults on police officers for the reporting period May to July 2011 is as follows:

• 14 major injuries;
• 10 over 3 day injuries;
• 434 minor injuries.

Despite the increase when comparing the periods May to July, the overall trend continues to show a slight decline. There is no obvious causational trend for the May 2011 increase and the monthly figures for June and July 2011 are below the monthly average for this injury category.

12. The total number of injuries following assault on PCSOs for May to July 2011 (34) shows a reduction of 4 injuries compared to the same three-month period in 2010 (38). The breakdown of the assaults on PCSOs for the reporting period May to July 2011 is as follows:

• 1 major injury;
• 1 over 3 day injury;
• 32 minor injuries.

13. Despite this quarterly reduction in the number of accidents, there is a slight 2.2% increase in the assaults with injury rate against PCSOs over the two year comparison period (August 2009 to July 2010, and between August 2010 to July 2011). The following observations are made:

• this rise reflects a very small increase in monthly assaults with injury against PCSOs (an increase in 3 assaults over the past 12 months);
• considerable work has been undertaken over the past two years to reduce assault injuries;
• the reduction when comparing the periods May to July 2011 supports the overall trend that this accident category trend line shows decline.

There is no obvious causational trend for this small increase and SHRMT will continue to closely monitor this assault 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 2009 - July 2010 and August 2010 - July 2011, is shown at Appendix 6.

15. The period May to July 2011 shows a reduction when compared to the corresponding period May to July 2010 (198 injuries in 2011 compared to 224 injuries in 2010).

16. Of the 198 slips, trips and falls:

• 12 were major injuries;
• 16 were over 3 day injuries;
• 170 were minor injuries.

Hit by a Moving Vehicle (including injury from Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs)

17. A summary of the injuries following staff being hit by moving vehicles (including RTAs) reported on MetAIR between August 2009 to July 2010 and August 2010 to July 2011, is shown at Appendix 7.

18. The period May to July 2011 shows a slight increase when compared to the corresponding period May to July 2010 (115 injuries in 2011 compared to 102 injuries in 2010). Despite this increase when comparing the periods May to July, the overall trend continues to show a decline. The data for the comparative period (May to July 2010) was the lowest quarterly figures on record.

19. There was a drop in the number of injuries following being hit by a moving vehicle from 42 in May 2011 to 27 in July 2011. In the same period in 2010 there was also a decrease (38 to 30).

20. Of 115 injuries:

• 37 were as a result of Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) whilst traveling to and from work;
• the remaining 78 injuries were as a result of RTA during working hours.

Comparison of MPS Accident Rates: 2004 to 2010

21. An analysis of accidents over the period 2004 to 2010 has been undertaken. A comparison of injury rates under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), minor, and total accidents are shown at Appendices 8, 9 and 10.

22. In summary over the period 2004-2010:

• RIDDOR accident rate has fallen 37%;
• minor accident rate has fallen 28%;
• total accident rate has fallen 29%.

23. 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.

Significant Public Disorder during August 2011.

24. Between the 6th and 11th of August, significant and sustained periods of public disorder took place. Although outside of the reporting period for this paper, there were 287 injuries recorded on MetAIR, of which:

• 8 were major injuries;
• 9 were over 3-day injuries.

25. Of the eight major injuries, all were the result of an assault by a person or being hit by projectiles. Six of these injuries required hospital treatment with 3 requiring a minimum of an overnight stay.

26. Of the nine over 3-day injuries, five were the result of an assault by a person, two were the result of being hit by projectiles, and two were the result of being hit by moving vehicles. Seven of these injuries required hospital treatment although none were detained overnight. This data is currently subject to further analysis.

National Accident Trend Analysis

27. The MPS are leading and chairing an ACPO sponsored working group to review accident data benchmarking. The working group is currently reviewing how each force accident recording system utilises/allows the use of the HSE classifications. Depending on the results it is hoped that a common benchmark accident categories can be used for inter-force comparative purposes.

Lord Young Review

28. The Prime Minister commissioned a report by Lord Young of Graffham to complete a Whitehall wide review of the operation of health and safety laws and the growth of the so-called compensation culture. The review included police health and safety.

29. The Lord Young Review was published on 15 October 2010. In relation to the police and fire service the report recommended that ‘Police officers and firefighters should not be at risk of investigation or prosecution under health and safety legislation when engaged in the course of their duties if they have put themselves at risk as a result of committing a heroic act. The HSE, Association of Chief Police Officers and Crown Prosecution Service should consider further guidance to put this into effect’.

30. The Strategic Manager Safety and Health Risk Management (SHRM) attended an ACPO led Committee on 12 May 2011 to review and debate the draft guidance documents issued by the HSE in response to Lord Young’s recommendation with regard to policing.

31. On 07 July 2011, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published an explanatory guidance note to ‘Striking the Balance’. This guidance and a briefing paper has been circulated to Management Board, members of the MPS Strategic H&S Committee, all MPS Operational Command Units (OCU) and Departments.

SHRMT Exercise Support

32. The SHRMT deployed safety staff in support and participation in a number of MPS run exercises in May and June 2011. This support consisted of:

• attending Planning meetings;
• providing on-site professional advice and guidance;
• completion and delivery of venue related risk assessments;
• providing professional health & safety advice to exercise control managers during the exercise phase;
• preparations of specific health & safety briefings.

33. The SHRMT also exercised their on call process during theses exercises. This involved the activation and response of the on call staff to advise counter terrorist crime scene management on spontaneous health & safety risks and the relevant control methods required.

34. SHRMT also plan to support the Olympic related exercise events.

Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 - Custody

35. The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 holds organisations responsible for the deaths of individuals if it can be proved that the way its activities are managed or organised, including a substantial contribution by its “senior management”, causes a death and amounts to a gross breach of a relevant duty of care owed by the organisation to the victim. From the 01 September 2011 this duty will now include detained persons in police custody. The Safety and Health Risk Management Team (SHRMT) and Property Services Compliance Team (PSCT) have been supporting a Corporate Manslaughter Homicide Steering Group chaired by Commander Steve Bloomfield to ensure the MPS are prepared for this forthcoming legislative change.

Olympics

36. The HSE requested a meeting with MPS regarding Olympic preparations. The meeting was attended by senior representatives from the HSE London, Silver Commander Olympics, Supt Olympic Torch Relay Security Team, SHRMT and PSCT. The meeting provided the MPS an opportunity to brief the HSE on the extensive ongoing planning work in preparation for the games. All agreed that there should be further collaborative meetings in the months leading up to the games.

Operational KIRKIN

37. The SHRMT and Occupational Health (OH) undertook the following activity to support the Gold Commander for Operation KIRKIN (response to the series of outbreaks of criminality and disorder across London):

• assault injury data was analysed and supplied to the Gold Commander on a daily basis;
• an assessment of the general staff safety related issues pertaining to the operation;
• OH offered proactive support to all injured officers. In an effort to assist those recovering from injuries OH set up a fast track entry to physiotherapy services and also for psychological support.
• OH contacted all individuals known to have been injured, either by telephone or email to ensure fast time appropriate support was offered;
• SHRMT are liaising with the safety departments of forces attached on aid to verify any injuries to other forces officers.

Suicide Awareness and Prevention

38. In September 2010 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 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. Appendix 11 summarises the monthly access to the site since its launch.

Property services health and safety performance update

Summary Of Building Related Accidents And Incidents Reported To Property Services

39. Between May 2011 and July 2011 there were three reportable accidents (major and over three day accidents) and 47 minor property related accidents involving MPA/MPS staff reported on MetAIR.

40. Between May 2011 and July 2011 there were three reportable accidents and 19 minor reported accidents involving employees of Property Services’ contractors. In the same period Property Services’ contractors reported 38 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.

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

41. Property Services sponsored training provided by Turner Townsend (contracted trainer) continues and a further 26 courses have been arranged for the current FY, accommodating an additional 700 personnel.

Notifications to HSE and Enforcing Authorities

42. Following the Federation raising a range of building related concerns with HSE, Facilities Management (FM) and the PSCT held a meeting with HSE on the 26th Nov 2010. Following this meeting areas for improvement were identified. A detailed letter of improvements was sent to the HSE by the Head of Compliance on the 26th January 2011. The Head of Compliance has now arranged a meeting with HSE on the 5th October 2011, and together with Facilities Management will advise of the improvements and look to gain HSE approval to bring this matter to a conclusion. In addition, in response to the Federation compliant ongoing monthly meetings were established with senior Federation health and safety representatives. The outcome from these meetings has been positive and presentations made by a range of Property Services specialists have been well received.

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

Legal Implications

4. 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.

5. 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

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

Risk Implications (including health and safety)

7. 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

• Appendix 1-10 - MetAIR accident data

• Appendix 11 - Monthly access to the Occupational Health Suicide Awareness and Prevention web site

E. Contact details

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

For information contact:

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

Abbreviations, acronyms and definitions:

• MetAIR Metropolitan Police Accident and Incident Reporting System
• (The MetAIR system provides a means for reporting and collecting MPS accident data including that required to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive)
• PCSO Police Community Support Officer
• RTA Road Traffic Accident
• SHRM Safety and Health Risk Management
• THR Transforming Human Resources
• HSE Health and Safety Executive
• SHRMT Safety and Health Risk Management Team
• ACPO Association of Chief Police Officers
• OCU Operational Command Units
• MPS Metropolitan Police service
• MPA Metropolitan Police Authority
• PSCT Property Services Compliance Team
• DoR Directorate of Resources
• CATS Changing Attitudes Towards Safety
• RIDDOR Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
• SDO Senior Designated Officer
• NO Nominated Officer
• FM Facilities Management

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