Prisons: Industrial Health and Safety

(asked on 4th February 2020) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of health and safety reporting systems for prison staff.


Answered by
Lucy Frazer Portrait
Lucy Frazer
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
This question was answered on 10th February 2020

The current Health and Safety (H&S) reporting system provides a reliable local and national reporting and recording tool that allows H&S teams to track and manage H&S and Fire incidents and actions arising. It also gives the information to identify trends and share guidance across the estate, including performance reports to governors and senior managers.

All staff receive a full H&S induction upon commencing their roles, this includes an explanation of the reporting and investigation process. Local notifications, advice and contingencies are published by Governors to advise staff of immediate risks or to implement controls where necessary.

Regular health and safety committee meetings are statutory and held at least quarterly at both prison and national level. Invites to attend these are issued to union representatives. Prison unions also have the opportunity to raise any issues of concern with governors in consultation meetings which occur every month. H&S and Fire risk assessments are shared with union representatives on completion, and are accompanied by appropriate action plans.

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