Capital Event Edinburgh April 2012
"Safer together - moving forward"
The day began with snow and strong winds and a bitterly cold temperature in the city and particularly further north. But virtually everyone managed to arrive on time.
Chris Jackson, National Chair provided a welcome and stated that it was thought a room for 12 upstairs would be enough but then needed to have downstairs room for 40 and finally a double room for 80.
He introduced Karen Mcdonnell IOSH Vice President and Head of ROSPA (Scotland)as Chair for the day.
Dr. Karen McDonnell welcomed everyone to the event and expressed a delight at how many throughout Scotland and England were at the event. She also invited everyone to use the Share Point table to leave questions and to take information.
Chris then introduced members of the Executive and gave the delegates an introduction to NASHiCS. He provided examples of Members benefits including the Focus on Care, the new issue of which had arrived that day, the regular e-News and the Safety information portal (SIP) briefing notes on a number of issues.
Fiona MacNeill Head of Public Services (Scotland) HSE gave a short explanation of her work at the HSE and encouraged delegates to stay 
and look around Edinburgh.
She listed 4 things she would cover.
1 Working arrangements protocol with the Care Inspectorate.
2 Priorities in Care Services and Topical issues.
3 Update on HSE Guidance.
4 Update on changes in HSE.
Fiona stated that ‘we’re better working together’ and that cooperation and a working consistency is a must. Consistency from the LA enforcement and the HSE is quite difficult with a tolerance of risk and the competency of managers. HSE policy must be to promote consistency.
The second item is clarity in the overlapping areas. Who leads? Why have protocols? There are finite resources so overlaps need to be identified.
She explained some of the legal difficulties with overlapping.
The need to identify a clear lead.
HSE problem area section 3 (HSAWA)- people not in their employment – e.g. Service Users, Contractor etc….
Care Inspectorate visit care homes more frequently that the HSE.
Therefore in everyone’s interest to look at overlapping areas.
Important for the HSE to lead where serious failings on safety occur.
She then summarised details of the protocol and regulators. Who is responsible for what – inspections? Areas of regulatory interests. She asked delegates to focus on Annex B- areas of interest.
Fiona informed the group of the example lift case study within this protocol where a lift was not stopping level with the floor. LA inspector visited home – no inspection done- no correction/repair in place – LA inspector considers prohibition – LA inspector phones Care Inspectorate and following discussion concludes that a safe system of work was acceptable, they worked together to solve the problem.
She said that the protocol was out now for consultation ending in April with publication in mid May.
Fiona went on to raise the issue of falls from height and balconies quoting an instance when a person fell 11 metres from a window and also other falls including one instance where the window had not had a restrictor (first floor) installed.
The HSE/NHS has issued an alert about side stay window restrictors. Inspect regularly to spot signs of wear. Consider additional restriction on old installation.
She quoted other incidents which were under investigation by the HSE in Scotland so could not be publicised.
These concerned Burns – Scalds – Choking- Falls on stairs- Failure of lifting equipment.
HSG 220 Being revised for care homes this year. Electrical installations to be improved.
Update on HSE guidance including section 51 in relation to domiciliary care legionella issues.
She also updated delegates on the HSE group itself. They had been to ‘hell and back’. HSE had gone through 3 reviews with a difficult 18 months. The results however were not so bad on its effect on the HSE.
Only higher risk activities will now be inspected e.g. waste and construction.
A new panel has been set up to disapprove stupid claims e.g. bonkers conkers.
The fee for intervention had been put back until October.
Risk activities shifted from Risk Averse to Risk benefits. Health and Safety is not an excuse.
Care providers need to take an approach based on ‘sensible risk management’. Look at activity first – the benefits and then the risk assessment.
No planned proactive Health and Safety inspections.Will investigate deaths and serious injuries. HSE want message to get out. We are aware of emerging problems.
Finally she then took a number of questions from the floor covering Electrical , Rosepark fire - no prosecutions, Choking , Falls from windows BS6357 –part 2 and ‘Getting the balance right’
After the morning break
Marcia Ramsay. External relations Manager for the Care Inspectorate.
She gave details on the organisation.1year old after 3 organisations combined, her job as manager of specialist health care section.
Memorandum of understanding.Partnerships agreements and information sharing protocols. Duty of cooperation. 15,000 Care Services in Scotland with 2006 care homes.
From April 2011 a new structure – new alignment to LA and Health boards.
National Complaints and enquiries team.
Increased unannounced inspections. Integrated inspections with children’s services and adults from October.
Two new duties about outcome for people who use services. Explained the purpose of the new service. Frequency of inspections 1-per year. Service is very much about Risk assessments. Three year change programme. Progressive integration of function.
She stated that HSE are the lead for Health and Safety – Areas of shared interest.
They have an electronic reporting procedure which gives the details of what to report. She spoke about their role in respect of Health and Safety. There to signpost.
You don’t need to own problems on your own.
Lots of organisations to help. Involve families and carers.
Care Inspectorate should not be advising on fire safety.
We are Care Inspectors. We are lay persons in relation to Health and Safety and Fire Safety.
Questions session about frequency of inspections rounded off an information packed session.
Karen McDonnell introduced herself.
Spoke about the route map in Scotland. Hub of Health and Safety in Scotland is a partnership
She chairs POOSH in Scotland. This discusses specific issues – shares good practice and comes up with actions. Common initiatives. Promotes professional standards and competences.
Spoke about IOSH conference.
Safe ‘partnerships’
Scottish Chamber of Safety (9 groups).
Sector specific networks - NASHiCS ideal for another.
Spoke about personal and organisations opportunities.
Spoke about the benefits of networking. Pleased with the NASHiCS Share Point. She had added information on Occupational Road risk for delegates.
She summarised the benefits of working together.
After lunch
Alan Smith Group Commander Community Safety (Enforcement) Strathclyde Fire and Rescue,
gave an excellent overview of the cause and failings of this tragic fire with the slides and diagrams.
Colin Hird Head of Fire and Structure Buildings Standards, Scottish Government then spoke about what actions have taken place after the fire.
He spoke about Ministers saying sprinklers would have saved lives.
Scottish Ministers ordered advisory fire service visits.
He explained the research brief from the BRE.
Benchmarking test – The cupboard.
Test 1 – Reconstruction of the fire
Test 2 - Effect of sprinklers.
Test 3 – Use of fire doors. Gas readings – carbon monoxide – lethal dosage.
Also ventilation duct tests.
Fatal incident inquiry.
16 interested parties. 212 Witnesses. 141 days to produce report. Published 20/04/2011.
Where and when deaths took place.
Spoke about the post action by Rosepark owners. Look at www.scotland.gov.uk re fire safety.
Now 5 watches (Fire Crews) covering each Scottish care home. Each crew must visit once per year. Both speakers took a number of questions related to assisted living to storage in cupboards. Following on from this session the day rounded with questions to the panel of speakers.
Karen then summarised the day and speakers promised to provide answers to some of the questions posed which needed some checking and thought. 
Chris thanked all who attended and also to the organising team and the centre staff who provided excellent service and food and beverages throughout the day.
The questions have all been answered by email to the delegates that attended along with the presentation slides and papers and report on the fire at 'Rosepark examination of the facts' following the event. The document A124 'Responding to incidents in a Residential Care Home' produced by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service.
The evaluation forms returned were very positive and NASHiCS intends to visit Scotland again in the future.
Summary of returns Read more...
