As part of the Council’s policy review programme, the Health and Safety Service has published updated policies on the Health and Safety Internet site.
The following policies were reviewed:
- Working Alone Safely (supporting Guidance available)
- Radon (supporting Guidance available)
- Hand Arm Vibration (HAVs) (supporting Guidance available)
- Display Screen Equipment (DSE) (supporting Guidance available)
- Driving your Personal Vehicle for Work (supporting Guidance available)
- Supporting Wellbeing, Work Related Stress (supporting Guidance available)
- H&S Retention of Documents Policy withdrawn – only the Corporate Retention of Records Policy will be used: SC Records Management Policy
Not all the policies will apply to every service as they are subject specific.
Our Working Alone Policy now states that Risk Assessments for lone working should be conducted on the F09 Working Alone Safely form and removes references to previous platforms for assessment.
Facilities Management and Housing Compliance supported the review process of the Radon Policy and action levels for radon monitoring, and remediation activities have been adjusted to reflect advice given by the Council’s Radon Protection Advisor and in line with current guidance from the HSE and Public Health England.
The Hand Arm Vibration (HAVs) Policy includes the form F036 Hand-Arm Vibration to be used by operational staff for the purpose of recording and monitoring their exposure when using vibration emitting equipment.
The Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Word form has been re-written as a checklist: DSE Checklist
As part of the review of our ‘Driving for work’ policy, we have renamed it to ‘Driving your personal vehicle for work’ policy as it does not apply to drivers of fleet vehicles. There are several pertinent changes, for example the existing policy enables employees to obtain written authority from the employee’s Director to use hands-free mobile device. Consistent with ICT’s Mobile Device Policy and Fleet Services Fleet Management Procedures, the Health and Safety Service has removed the Director-level approval, no individual driving on Council business will be permitted to use their phone while driving.
Another important change is the updated F14 Driver Risk Assessment for Schools.
Finally, our Supporting Wellbeing, Work Related Stress Policy was reviewed following concerns expressed by members of the Council’s Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Steering Group that the current policy contained too much information, and the associated risk assessment was too involved, highlighting the importance of providing succinct information to staff, particularly those who may be experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety. Therefore, without jeopardising the overall messaging and effectiveness of responsibilities within the policy, the content was reduced, and stress risk assessment simplified.
Where the policies apply to you, managers and employees are asked to review their responsibilities stated in the policies to ensure services are operating in a compliant manner.
All of the above are available on the Health and Safety internet page.
