West Midlands Fire Service is committed to achieving high standards of health and safety and compliance with health and safety law and regulations. It is concerned for the health and safety of its 
employees and others who may be affected by its activities, e.g. public, visitors, and contractors.
Attending fires and other emergency incidents is a risky occupation and West Midlands Fire Service has many safe systems of work in place, supported by training and personal protective equipment (PPE), which minimises the risks to Firefighters and other staff who attend.
Safe systems of work are also in place for non-uniformed employees, visitors and contractors.
During the financial year April 2011 to March 2012, a total of 158 injuries were reported to the Safety, Health and Environmental Team relating to our activity during this period. This was a 17% decrease on the previous year (191) and is the lowest level on record.
Of the 158 injuries, the Service reported 24 injuries to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). This was an increase on the previous year (24) and was due to a higher level of slips and trips resulting in employees taking more than 3 days absence from work. There were no fatal accidents. The RIDDOR figure remains one of the lowest levels achieved by West Midlands Fire Service.
Of the 24 RIDDOR injuries, five were classed as a major injury.
No dangerous occurrences were reported.
No health and safety prosecutions or enforcement action is pending against West Midlands Fire Service.
The Service has achieved the targets for injury reduction set out in the government’s Revitalising Health and Safety strategy. In 2000, the government targeted a 10% reduction in injuries by 2010. The following table summarises the target and our achievement.
| 2000 Performance | 2010 Target | 2010/2011 Performance | |
| Total Injuries | 400 | 360 | 158 |
| RIDDOR Injuries | 60 | 54 | 24 |
West Midlands Fire Service consults with the Representative Bodies on health and safety through a health and safety committee structure and on a routine basis. It has agreed a protocol for the joint investigation of any serious injuries or health and safety events.
In recognition of its health and safety performance, West Midlands Fire Service has received a Sector (Emergency Services) Award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). RoSPA run an annual national health and safety awards scheme. 
Further information is available from the Safety, Health and Environmental Team based at Fire Service Headquarters (Telephone 0121 380 6415 or e-mail health.safety@wmfs.net)
The Service’s health and safety policy is regularly reviewed and is available to download below.
