Calderdale Council’s commitment to health and safety is being recognised as part of the 2023 annual report, which is being presented to the Council’s Cabinet.
Health and safety is at the heart of the wide range of services provided by the Council, and the safety of local people, employees, clients and contractors is taken very seriously.
The 2023 health and safety report outlines the year’s challenges, achievements and a number of recommendations, supporting work to make Calderdale a healthier and safer place for both employees of the Council and Calderdale residents.
The Council’s Health and Safety team undertake a robust programme of work each year to ensure continuous improvement and meet the legal responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The past year saw a reduction in accident rates at the Council, including those in Calderdale schools. Sadly, the number of reported incidents of violence and aggression towards staff increased. Although this is partly attributable to improved reporting, the issue is closely monitored with teams to identify and mitigate potential risk.
Alongside routine operational issues and work to mitigate risks, the team have been reviewing arrangements at specific locations. This includes at Halifax Town Hall, where access has been reviewed to increase security.
As well as acknowledging the report and the robust Health and Safety arrangements in place at this time, Cabinet is also being asked to approve the new five-year strategy, ‘ACTION 2028’. This is aimed at further improving standards of health, safety and wellbeing throughout the organisation and working towards building an even safer and healthier Calderdale.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Silvia Dacre, said:
“We’re committed to keeping our staff and residents as safe as possible and we are proud of our excellent health and safety record.
“Whilst we all have a role to play in keeping ourselves and each other safe and well, the Council continues to do all it can to reduce the likelihood and impact of incidents and accidents and the potential for harm to both employees and members of the public.
“The annual report highlights the broad remit of the health and safety team, and identifies successful improvements, local challenges and how we’ve dealt with national issues. We’re also looking at how we respond to the ever-changing landscape of health and safety, with a new five-year strategy demonstrating our ongoing commitment to good safety management.”
The 2023 Annual Health and Safety report and the ACTION 2028 five-year strategy will be discussed at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 11 December from 3pm. The meeting will take place at Halifax Town Hall and will be live streamed at https://calderdale.public-i.tv/core/portal/home(external link)
ENDS