NORTH WESTERN AND NORTH WALES SEA FISHERIES COMMITTEE
OFFICER’S REPORT
HEALTH & SAFETY
Report by the Chief Executive, Principal Fishery Officer, Finance/Admin Officer
A. Purpose of Report
To report compliance with the Committee's Health and Safety Policy and raise relevant issues
B. Recommendation
1. That the report be received
1. Implementation of the Committee's Health and Safety policy
1.1 The CE, PFO and F/AO reviewed health and safety at a full staff meeting on 13 November 2006. The Committee's H&S policy is being implemented effectively. No modifications to the policy are necessary at present.
2. Fishery Officers/Field Staff
2.1 No major H&S issues have arisen since the previous review in August 06. On 13 November 2006, Officers were requested to review all task risk assessments and make recommendations as necessary.
2.2 At the staff meeting, a noticeable trend of increasing antagonism towards Fishery Officers on the shore in some areas was reported. This trend has also been discussed at the Chief Officers Group (all England and Wales SFC) in relation to increasing cases of Obstruction. The need for additional protective equipment, particularly stab vests was discussed. After a full consideration, the majority view was that wearing such equipment was undesirable unless aggression increased further. Protective equipment could be seen as a challenge by aggressive individuals, thus making confrontations worse. It could also give Officers a false sense of security and would uncomfortably restrict operations.
2.3 Staff agreed to monitor and note any incidents when additional protective equipment could be appropriate and review this matter at future staff meetings.
2.4 One ‘near miss’ incident was reported from the Warton Sands area of Morecambe Bay where one Senior Fishery Officer came close to becoming entrapped by sinking sand and losing an ATV. With the assistance of an accompanying Officer, the incident ended without injury or damage to equipment.
2.5 As a result of this incident Officers reviewed their task risk assessments for working on the intertidal areas of Morecambe Bay. As before Officers will take all precautions on the sands and will never enter areas at risk from sinking sands alone. In future, ATV will carry light weight throw lines to assist recovery in the event of becoming trapped in soft sediment.
3. Lancaster Offices
3.1 No H&S issues have arisen since the last review.
4. Accidents at work
4.1 There have been no accidents reported since the last report.
STEPHEN ATKINS
Chief Executive
MARTYN BOYCE
Principal Fishery Officer
JOHN DAVIES
Finance/Admin Officer
16 November 2006