Health and Safety Risk Assessment Procedure

Transcription

1 WILTSHIRE POLICE FORCE PROCEDURE Health and Safety Risk Assessment Procedure Effective from: Page 1 of 14

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Identification...3 Ownership...3 Revision History...3 Approvals...3 Distribution...3 Equality Impact Assessment...4 Consultation...4 Implications of the Procedure...4 Training Requirements...4 Infrastructure...4 RELATED POLICIES, PROCEDURES and OTHER DOCUMENTS...5 DATA PROTECTION...5 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT MONITORING and REVIEW...5 WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT THIS PROCEDURE...5 Page 2 of 14

3 Identification Procedure Title: Version: Health and Safety Management Procedure V6 Ownership Department Responsible: Procedure Owner: Health and Safety, People Services Sarah Somers, Health and Safety Manager Revision History Effective From Next Review Date: Every three years or when significant changes in work activity, process or procedure occur. Revision Date Previous Revision Date Summary of Changes Standard review Standard review Standard review review; to include QSA requirements Standard review no changes Data Protection section amended to reflect implementation of GDPR and new DPA. Approvals This document requires the following approvals: Name & Title Date of Approval Version Occupational Health and Safety Committee (CC chair) V5 Chief Officer Group Not required Distribution This document has been distributed via: Name & Title Date of Issue Version E-Brief - - to relevant affected Staff/Officers - - Page 3 of 14

4 Equality Impact Assessment Has an EIA been completed? Yes No Informal assessment conducted result low risk. If no, please indicate the date by which it will be completed. If yes, please send a copy of the EIA with the procedure. Date: Consultation List below who you have consulted with on this policy (incl. committees, groups, etc): Name & Title Date Version Consulted Occupational Health and Safety Committee V5 Implications of the Procedure Training Requirements Any perceived training requirements needed to implement this procedure should be identified here. IT Infrastructure State here whether implementation of this procedure requires any input from IT, adaption and/or addition to any IT systems or package. Page 4 of 14

5 PROCEDURE OVERVIEW The objective of this procedure is to clearly define Wiltshire Police s procedures with regards to Health and Safety Risk Assessment processes. GLOSSARY OF TERMS GRA Term Generic Risk Assessment Meaning ORA DRA PPE Operational Risk Assessment Dynamic Risk Assessment Personal Protective Equipment RELATED POLICIES, PROCEDURES and OTHER DOCUMENTS All other Wiltshire Police Health and Safety Policy s and Procedures DATA PROTECTION Any information relating to an identified or identifiable living individual recorded as a consequence of this procedure will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, General Data Protection Regulations and the Force Data Protection Policy. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 This document has been assessed as suitable for public release. MONITORING and REVIEW The Health and Safety Risk Assessment Procedure document will be monitored and reviewed every three years by the Head of Health and Safety. The procedure will also be reviewed in light of legislative change, change in technology or best practice. The Force Occupational Health and Safety Committee will be responsible for approval and monitoring the procedure document and its implementation on a regular basis. All generic risk assessments will be reviewed every three years (annually for high risk GRA s) by the senior manager with portfolio responsibility for that work activity with the support of the force Health and Safety Section. The assessments will also be reviewed in light of any significant changes in legislation, work activity or process. Significant changes to generic risk assessments will be passed through the Force Occupational Health and Safety Committee for consultation and communication. WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT THIS PROCEDURE Sarah Somers Head of Health and Safety David James Health and Safety Advisor Page 5 of 14

6 1. Legal Requirements The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires every employer, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees and anyone else affected by their undertakings. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require Wiltshire Police to: undertake a systematic general examination of all work activities; Identify the significant risks arising out of work; assess the risks to the health and safety of those in our employment; assess the risks to the health and safety of persons not in our employment who are working on our premises or affected by our business; implement control measures to reduce these risks as far as is reasonably practicable; record and review our assessments if we have reason to suspect that they are no longer valid or there has been a significant change in working practices Other legislation requires risk assessment to be undertaken. These include: Police (Health and Safety) at Work Act 1997 Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 HSE Striking the Balance Statement and Explanatory Note The Health and Safety Executive high level statement Striking the Balance between operational and health and safety duties in the Police Service supported by its explanatory note, reflects a common understanding of how health and safety law should apply to policing. The documents detail the principles of the striking the balance statement, clarifies the terminology used in it, and contains a range of case studies of how policing can be delivered without compromising the health and safety of police officers, staff, and the public. The explanatory note details that police officers who undertake heroic acts in the course of their operational duties will not be prosecuted by the HSE for Section 7 breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc The HSE acknowledges the reality that individual police officers and/or other staff may decide to put themselves at significant risk by carrying out a heroic act in the course of their duty. In such instances, the HSE says it will not investigate the individual, or take any enforcement action against them. It also pledges not to judge informed decision-making by commanding officers in the Page 6 of 14

7 event of a serious incident with the benefit of hindsight. However, as the employer of individual officers/police staff it is the duty of the Police Service to identify the types of risks its staff may face, put in place all reasonable steps to minimise those risks, ensure their staff are aware of and follow their force s guidance and policies, and provide appropriate training for staff who need to take risk-benefit decisions in the course of operational policing. 2.0 Responsibility for Risk Assessment Senior Management Senior Managers including (both police officers and police staff) are responsible for the Generic Risk Assessments within their portfolio. It is their responsibility, in consultation with the Health and Safety Manager to ensure the generic risk assessments are completed, documented and regularly reviewed in line with this policy. Senior managers can identify staff within their specialisms to carry out the generic risk assessment development on their behalf, but are still responsible for overseeing and approving all work. Once developed Senior Managers have are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are being appropriately implemented in all areas under their direction and control. Line Managers Line managers (both police officers and police staff) must familiarise themselves with the Generic and Operational Risk Assessments relevant to their work activities. This will give an overview of all risks and control measures recommended for that type of working activity, including ones that are beyond the line manager's control, e.g., content of training courses. Line managers are responsible for the completion, implementation and dissemination of the significant findings of risk assessments within their business area/ work activity. All Employees All members of staff are responsible for ensuring they have read and understood the generic and operational risk assessments relevant to their role. They are also responsible for implementing the risk assessment and must comply with any control measures within. Health and Safety Advice and Assistance All members of staff and management have access to competent and professional health and safety advice and guidance through the force Health and Safety department. 3.0 Types of Risk Assessment Wiltshire Police operate four types of Risk Assessment: Generic Risk Assessments covering all areas of work activity that are repeated on a regular basis, e.g., general office work, foot patrol duties, firearms etc. Line managers will need to Page 7 of 14

8 ensure that the relevant Generic Risk Assessment covering the working activities carried out by their staff are in place and reviewed regularly. Operational Risk Assessments covering all areas of work activity are to be used in conjunction with the Generic Risk Assessments. Local hazards of that building/department/operation are also taken into consideration within this type of risk assessment. Within this type of risk assessment an individual risk assessments may be required for certain members of staff. For example pregnancy risk assessments, returning to work from ill health/injury, disability risk assessments. Dynamic Risk Assessments are used where unexpected, unplanned for scenarios occur. This type of risk assessment is carried out 'on the spot', with any learning points fed back into the Operational and Generic Risk Assessments where necessary. Personal Risk Assessments are also used within the Force for nominated members of staff. These include pregnancy risk assessments, recuperative duties, restricted duties or disability risk assessments. The majority of these risk assessments will be completed by managers in consultation with the Occupational Health Department. 4.0 Risk Assessment Training and Competence The Force Health and Safety Training Strategy and Plan, found on the health and safety First point portal pages details the Force risk assessment training needs analysis and the arrangement for the provision of risk assessment training. This is includes both risk assessment awareness training and full risk assessor training courses. To be classed as a trained risk assessor for the Force, they must attend the Force Risk Assessment Training course. The risk assessor must be competent to perform the task, including having the appropriate skills and experience to enable to them to carry out the risk assessment process. 5.0 Risk Assessment Process 1. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION > Identifying the main hazards in the workplace / work activity Definition of Hazard Anything with the potential to cause harm Consider the significant and reasonably foreseeable hazards to Wiltshire Police employees and others exposed as a result of our undertakings of the work activity/operation/location being assessed. This asessment should include both general and local hazards and may include hazards from the use of machinery, equipment, materials, substances and work activities or location itself. It is also important to consider the hazards from foreseeable emergencies as part of business continuity planning. 2. IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONS AT RISK > deciding who might be harmed and how. Page 8 of 14

9 When identifying persons at risk from the above hazards consider our employees including special constables and volunteers and other affected by our undertakings including members of the public, detainees, contractors, visitors and other agencies we may work alongside. This list is not exhaustive 3. RISK EVALUATION AND CONTROL MEASURES > assessing the severity of the risk, whether it is adequately controlled, and what existing control measures are in place. When calculating overall risk it is essential to consider both the severity and the likelihood of the hazard occurring. Using the risk estimator table below, a risk rating can be established. The system used is subjective and relies on the risk assessors individual skills, knowledge and training to establish risk. Consider existing control measures and the identification of any additional control measures. Relevant legal requirements in relation to absolute control measures should also be taken into account as part of the risk assessment for example PUWER / LOLER requirements. Severity Likelihood L - minor (<3 days off sick) M - serious, 3 days off sick but not hospitalised H - major injury (hospitalisation) /death L unlikely T Trivial L Low M - Medium M L Low M Medium H - High possible/likely H - very likely M Medium H High I - Intolerable 4. FURTHER ACTION > what more can be done for those risks that are not adequately controlled. This may mean the introduction of additional controls. When considering and assessing reasonably practicable control measures in areas which are less than absolute, risk assessors should consider, the application of best practice, national health and safety and/or police guidance and the application of up to date technology options. Relative costs and the effectiveness of the options should also be considered and assessed at this stage. The following hierarchy of control measures must be utilised when deciding what further action to take, in order of priority. 1. REMOVE HAZARD 2. SUBSTITUTE IT WITH SOMETHING LESS HAZARDOUS 3. ISOLATE HAZARD FROM PEOPLE 4. ENCLOSE HAZARD PROCESS 5. RESTRICT NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPOSED Page 9 of 14

10 6. SAFE SYSTEMS OF WORK 7. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 8. INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION All control measures must be implemented and maintained as part of the risk assessment process. The control measures should also be specifically monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. 5. REVIEW AND REVISE > circumstances change, so at regular intervals consideration needs to be given to whether new or amended assessments are required. If any accidents occur these must be investigated to see whether existing control measures are inadequate and need changing. All Risk Assessments will be regularly reviewed by the senior manager with portfolio responsibility for that work activity in consultation with the Health and Safety Manager. Eash risk assessment will record the specifc date/frequency for further mandartory reivew. Risk Assessments must also be reviewed and revised as necessary where there is a change/new work activity, as results of accidents, etc. 6.0 Procedure for Generic Risk Assessments All Wiltshire Police Generic Risk Assessments (GRA) can be accessed via the health and safety portal pages on First Point under People Services. The GRA's will have been developed by designated groups of staff on behalf of the relevant senior manager with portfolio responsibilities and are periodically reviewed and updated. The GRA s will cover all areas of Wiltshire Police work activity in a general way, detailing the general hazards and risk management principals. GRA s will drive production and review of associated force policies, procedures and standard operating procedures. Policies and procedures should be informed by the risk assessment. The risk assessment will also assist with determining the level of instruction, training and supervision required for the role or work activity. 7.0 Procedure for Operational Risk Assessments Operational Risk Assessments (ORA) cover specific areas of work activity and are to be used in conjunction with the Generic Risk Assessments. Local hazards of that building/department/operation are taken into consideration within this type of risk assessment. It is the responsibility of the trained risk assessor to complete the ORA for their department/operation. Every pre planned work activity or operation must be accompanied by a suitable and sufficient operational risk assessment. It is essential that the assessment is bought to the attention of all staff involved in the process at the briefing. The significant findings of the risk assessment are fully integrated Page 10 of 14

11 into operational policing plans, safety briefings and instructions. The ORA Form 808 templates are available from via the health and safety portal pages on First Point under People Services and form part of the Operational Order template. 8.0 Procedure for Dynamic Risk Assessment The often unpredictable and rapidly changing nature of operational incidents means that it is not feasible to include every situation or scenario within a generic or operational risk assessment. Circumstances will arise which may require an immediate assessment of risk to be made known as Dynamic Risk Assessment. Initial Stages of an Incident Police officers/police staff and specials attending any operational incident are often required to identify hazards and assess risk before embarking on a particular course of action in order to achieve an acceptable level of safety. As part of that decision making process, they must consider the health and safety risks that may be initially present and that may also develop as an incident unfolds It is important, therefore, that managers, operational officers, police staff and specials should be familiar with the principles and techniques of risk assessment, so that they can take appropriate measures to safeguard themselves when they encounter unexpected hazards. These health and safety responsibilities have to be carefully balanced with their responsibilities and duties as a serving police officer, member of police staff or special. The everyday work of police officers, specials and certain police staff involves them dealing with a variety of incidents for which a dynamic risk assessment is essential if they are to avoid unnecessary risks to themselves, colleagues, or members of the public. Wiltshire Police do not want police officers/police staff to take unnecessary risks. However, the decision to take such a course of action may, in certain situations be considered valid, where there are extreme risks to the life of an officer, colleagues or members of the public. If, after implementing all available control measures, the consequences of proceeding with a task still outweighs the potential benefits, do not proceed, but consider viable alternatives. In some circumstances the incident may be on such a scale, or may develop in a way that requires the direct intervention of immediate supervisors or the creation of an incident command structure, where it will also be necessary for dynamic risk assessment to continually take place at all levels. Where an unidentified risk presents itself during an operation/activity, which poses a serious threat to personal safety, consideration should be given to immediate withdrawal. Page 11 of 14

12 Development Stages of an Incident Should an incident develop significantly, additional factors may make the original course of action inappropriate, for example: Decision-making may change from being pro-active to reactive as conditions change. New hazards and their associated risks may arise. Existing hazards may present different risks. Operational activities may produce risks to other people. At this stage of an incident, it is essential that safety continues to be managed by constantly monitoring the situation and reviewing the effectiveness of existing control measures. If an incident develops significantly, immediate supervisors, and ultimately incident commanders will need to also dynamically manage the risks that arise. Closing Stages of the Incident During the closing stages of an incident police officers, police staff and specials must not become complacent. The process of task and hazard identification, assessment of risk, monitoring and review must continue until the incident is concluded. Well thought out risk-taking in line with Force policies will be supported even if the outcome is negative. Appendix A provides further detailed guidance regarding dynamic risk assessment principals. Page 12 of 14

13 Appendix A Dynamic Risk Assessment Flowchart Evaluate the situation, task and persons at risk Select system of work Proceed with Tasks Assess the chosen Systems of work Consider viable Alternatives Yes Are the risks proportionate to the No benefits? Re-assess systems of work Yes Can additional control measures be introduced? No Do not proceed with tasks Guidance on the Dynamic Risk Assessment Flowchart Evaluate the system, task and persons at risk Page 13 of 14

14 Consider questions, such as: What operational intelligence is available e.g. PNC; is it current? Is it reliable? What tasks need to be carried out? What hazards are there in carrying out the tasks in this situation? What risks are associated with these hazards to police officers, police staff, other emergency services personnel, the public, the environment? What resources are available e.g. experienced personnel, vehicles and equipment, specialist advice? Select Systems of Work Consider the possible systems of work and choose the most appropriate for the situation. The starting point for consideration must be procedures that have been agreed in pre-planning and training. Ensure that staff are competent to carry out the tasks that they have been allocated. Assess the chosen system of work Assess the chosen systems of work. Are the risks proportional to the benefits? If Yes proceed with the tasks after ensuring that: Goals, both individual and team are understood. Responsibilities have been clearly allocated. Safety measures and procedures are understood. If No continue as below. Introduce additional controls Eliminate or reduce any remaining risks to an acceptable level, if possible, by introducing additional control measures, such as: Use of PPE e.g. stab vests, Slash resistant gloves, safety helmets. Use of specialist equipment e.g. ballistic body armour, Safety harnesses. Additional lighting. Re-assess systems of work and additional control measures If any risks remain, does the benefit gained from carrying out the tasks outweigh the possible consequences if the risks are realised? If the benefits outweigh the risks, proceed with the tasks. If the risks outweigh the benefit do NOT proceed with the tasks, but consider viable alternatives. Page 14 of 14