Workplace Health and Safety - Project Work and Law Enforcement Plans

In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 {section 18 standard} Regulation and Enforcement Officers carry out a range of alternative interventions. Using evidenced based intelligence, officers engage in significant local and national health and safety issues.

Below is a list of alternative intervention objectives for the coming year.

Business Forum
To work with local businesses to facilitate a forum. To exchange knowledge and support local and larger businesses in their efforts to comply with health and safety legislation. To use the forum to discuss consultations and Birmingham City Council proposals to improve service. To demonstrate partnership working with and to support local businesses. For more information please contact us.

Reducing the Risk of Legionella
To ensure that the risk of legionella is appropriately controlled at source e.g. inspection of cooling towers. To also assess levels of compliance in other risk areas e.g. spa pools and jacuzzis etc.

Inspect all 14 Local Authority regulated cooling towers, mailshot all businesses with spa pools and jacuzzis across the city and hotels on the Hagley Road. Identify 20 leisure businesses for inspection based on the mailshot results.

Reducing the risk of scalding in hostels and care homes
Target care homes to ensure the risk of scalding is reduced to a tolerable level. Working in partnership with Care Quality Commission, national care providers and building on the work in 2011/12. Mailshot premises, visit 32 premises, take enforcement action as appropriate.

Reducing the risk of injury to vulnerable people falling from windows in care homes
Target hostels and care homes to ensure the risk of falling from windows is reduced to a tolerable level. Working in partnership with Care Quality Commission mailshot to care homes to raise awareness, produce a briefing note to Care Quality Commission on acceptable standards, Visit 32 premises, and take enforcement action as appropriate

Primary Authority Partnership
To develop a Primary Authority Partnership. More information on Primary Authority Partnerships can be found on the Better Regulation Delivery Office web pages.

Public Health Agenda
Consider developing a Healthy Workplace Award, create a business pack aimed at helping to reduce absenteeism in small and medium sized enterprises, to include return to work strategies etc.

School Safety Award
Building on the success of the previous three years. The School Safety Award helps pupils to understand the need for a safe working environment and also to reinforce the ideas of sensible risk management. Introduce an award for pupils provided sponsorship can be secured.

2011-2012 saw us undertake a number of alternative interventions inline with HSE guidance. For more information see section 6 (Reviewof Health and Safety work undertaken in 2011/2012)of the 2012-2013 Law and Enforcement Plan attached below. Interventions included the following:-

Lead Authority Partnership Scheme

Reducing the Risk of Scalding in Care Homes and Hostels

Safe at Work Scheme

Managing the Risk of Legionella

Gas Safety in the Catering Sector

Steel Stockholders Safety

Window Restraints in Care Homes

Duty to Manage Asbestos

Self Assessment

Joint Fire Service Visits

Reversing Vehicles and VNA Truck Safety

Coupling (and uncoupling) is the process of connecting (or disconnecting) an articulated vehicle's cab to its trailer. In 2010 we investigated a fatal accident where a Birmingham worker was killed whilst coupling. Our investigation found that this was a tragic accident, and his employer had taken reasonably practicable steps to prevent this from happening.

Unfortunately this incident was not unique. Unsafe coupling and uncoupling has led to cabs or trailers rolling away and injuring drivers or bystanders. It has also caused serious damage to vehicles and property. In order to help employers and drivers minimize the risk from coupling and uncoupling the Health and Safety Executive has issued guidance on the safe system of work that should be used at all times. This guidance can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/information/coupling.htm

To report a Health and Safety issue or for further advice and information visit our Health and Safety at Work web page.