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12 March 2006 - HSE Issue Improvement
Notices on Suffolk Police
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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:
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:
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
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