FIRE FIT CONFERENCE 2006

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FIRE FIT CONFERENCE 2006

• Peter Brown
• Director of HSE Public Services Programme

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Managing Attendance the HSE perspective

• The Wider Problem
• Ministerial Task Force
• HSE and the MTF
• Health, Work and Wellbeing Strategy
• MTF and the FRS
• Other HSE work with the FRS

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Ministerial Task Force on Health Safety and
Productivity

• Aims to improve sickness absence management
  across the public sector
• Is in line with Chancellor of the Exchequers
  drive for improving public sector efficiency
• DCLG promotes and reports on progress in the
  FRS

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Ministerial Task Force Recommendations

• Better gathering and use of data
• Better absence management systems, and better
  training and support for managers
• Top level management commitment

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RHS TARGETS FOR 2010

• 30 reduction in days lost through work-related
  ill health accidents (MTF)
• 10 reduction in fatal and major accidents
• 20 reduction in incidence of work-related ill
  health

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Sickness absence 1999 - 2004
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Fire and Rescue National Framework

• Little movement in overall sickness absence rates
• Targets were set for 2005 but
• Unless there is significant improvement it seems
  unlikely that the service will have met the
  targets set for 2005

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In line with MTF, the National Framework states
thatFire Rescue Authorities should -

• Introduce effective absence management processes
  to facilitate reduction of government sickness
  absence targets ill health retirements.
• Ensure occupational health arrangements (and occ
  health advice) are efficient and effective.

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FIT FOR DUTY SICKNESS ABSENCE

• Policies Procedures
• Targets performance
• Line Managers responsibilities

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FIT FOR DUTY SICKNESS ABSENCE

• Management Information
• Roles of OH and HR departments
• Staff deployment

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HSE / DCLG Research Project 06/07Enhancing
sickness absence management in the fire and
rescue service

• Sickness absence data collection
• Use of real time information by managers
• Staff training in sickness absence procedures
• Promotion of early return to work
• Use of occupational health services

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The Project in practice

• Internal research by HSE/DCLG on FRA sickness
  absence data
• Visits to selected FRS by external researchers
  (contract)
• Discussions with selected individuals within FRS.
  Eg. Occupational health
  and/or HR.
• Recognises that FRSs are already doing work on
  sickness absence
• Will commence in Autumn 2006

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FRS main injuries / ill health reports

• MSD
• - MSD 04/05 Riddor 621reported
• - CFOA working group
• - Are your policies risk assessments being
  implemented? (including non operational staff)

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FRS main injuries / ill health reports

• SLIPS AND TRIPS - More to be done to ascertain
  causes. - Can more be done in offices / fire
  stations?

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HSE stress management standards

• Demands
• Control
• Support

• Relationships
• Role
• Change

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Further information

• HSE web site (www.hse.gov.uk)
• HSE Infoline (0845 3450055)
• HSE publications (01787 881165)
• Contact local HSE office