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 2008 to March 2009, a total of 224 injuries were reported to the Safety, Health and Environmental Team relating to our activity during this period. This was a reduction of 29% on the previous year and the lowest level achieved.
Of the 224 injuries, the Service reported 30 injuries to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). This was a decrease of 26% on the previous year. There were no fatal accidents. The RIDDOR figure was the lowest level achieved.
Of the 30 RIDDOR injuries, 3 were major injuries. One of the major injuries was subject to a Health and Safety Executive investigation.
No dangerous occurrences were reported.
No 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 | 2008/2009 Performance | |
| Total Injuries | 400 | 360 | 224 |
| RIDDOR Injuries | 60 | 54 | 30 |
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.
In recognition of its health and safety performance, West Midlands Fire Service has received a Gold Award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). RoSPA run an annual national health and safety awards scheme and a Gold Award recognises an improved health and safety performance over a number of years.
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
