As part of a new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) scheme to inspect Suffolk Constabulary on a regular basis and following one such inspection in November 2005, with a subsequent visit in January 2006, HSE inspectors deemed it necessary to issue improvement notices in the following two areas:
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Insufficient analysis of workstations.
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Health and Safety training had not been completed satisfactorily.
The improvements required will have to be implemented by September 2006.
However, a meeting with constabulary representatives and the HSE recognised, that although some high-level risks to health and safety within the force were satisfactory, lower-level risks, such as prolonged use of poorly equipped workstations had not been understood.
A Suffolk police spokesman said:
“The health and safety of our staff is a priority within the constabulary and we take the matter extremely seriously.
“This is the first inspection by the Health and Safety Executive that we have been subject to and, on the whole, the report was extremely positive.
“However, it is important to us that any issues are identified and raised as they have been in this case.
“We are now working with the HSE to address these issues.”
A report, by Chief Constable Alistair Mc Whirter, contained the following:
"Resources in the health and safety section were insufficient to meet the task.
"Assistance would be provided either through the creation of an additional post or the use of existing resources from elsewhere."
The force has also identified other longer term improvements requiring attention, which include the following:
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Stress Management consideration.
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Noise level surveys.
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Recording of Immunisation status of officers and staff.
The Police Authority has agreed to provide £200,000 from reserves to fund the work needed, in order that the issues raised can be addressed.
Further information on police management of health and safety plus other guidance and advice can be accessed from the HSE police webpage by clicking the following:
HSE - Services - Police Services
Article by Alexandra Johnston
