Questions
Replacing windows in high-rise properties (24-01-12)
I am looking for some information/benchmarking regarding the replacement of windows in high-rise properties. I’ve been tasked with benchmarking with similar organisations to the type of window, window locks and restrictors you fit to these type of properties. Stockport Homes is currently looking to fit a fully reinforced PVC, tilt before turn windows with tilt before turn locking mechanism, lockable handle with faced fixed restrictor. I just wondered if anyone else recommends/uses anything different. Thanks in advance.
Neil Smith of Stockport Homes
There are no answers
Lone working systems (19-12-11)
Waverley BC runs from Farnham across Surrey to Cranleigh and Ewhurst. Many areas of which have poor mobile phone reception. We are interested in finding an inexpensive yet practical lone working system that hopefully utitilises our existing phones, from Blackberries through to the cheapest Nokias. And have a call centre that can instigate escalation/police contact should it be necessary. Have you trialled any systems and if so what would you recommend please.
Mike Clinch of Waverley Borough Council
There is 1 answer
Legionella testing in domestic properties (02-12-11)
I am aware that some housing providers are undertaking annual risk assessments of water systems in domestic properties. However, I have received conflicting advice from health and safety specialists as to whether this forms part of the COSHH regulations and ACOP or not. Could anyone with more information on the domestic property element please forward this information for me?
Jill Middleton of Jephson Housing Association
There are 2 answers
Aggressive, vulnerable and disabled (25-11-11)
We currently have a database solely to record those individuals who may pose a risk to staff. Other information on vulnerable and disabled tenants is elsewhere and of poor quality. We are looking to move to one system that could support all three areas of concern. Whilst being data protection aware we do need our contractors and staff on our patch having access to that data. How have other organisations tackled this? Are you able to recommend any software or systems?
Mike Clinch of Waverley Borough Council
There are no answers
Asbestos information to tenants (13-10-11)
Could any members possibly advise on what processes they have in place for the provision of domestic asbestos survey data to tenants, when home improvement permission requests are received from tenants (and subsequently granted)?
Scott Tilley of Ashfield Homes
There are 3 answers
Finger guards at supported housing schemes (11-10-11)
We have had a recent incident where a customer almost severed the tip of their finger in a door. The issues are that the doors in the flats had self closure devices fitted as they exited to the only fire escape route in the flats (the residents in these schemes tend to have vulnerabilities which mean they may not appreciate the dangers as much). Do any members install finger guards in supported living schemes?
Sue Newton of Yorkshire Housing Ltd
There are 2 answers
Metal fire document cabinet (03-10-11)
We are looking for metal fire document cabinets for our sheltered housing schemes which can hold essential documents that are useful to the fire brigade in an emergency. They will also hold confidential information, so the ones available online (bright red ones costing around £50 each) do not serve the purpose. Could anyone please advise?
Rojin Kesavan of Sutton Housing Partnership
There is 1 answer
Health and safety audits (14-09-11)
I am about to look at internal and external auditing and would appreciate any examples of what is audited internally and externally.
Des Woodcock of Shepherds Bush H A
There are 5 answers
Fire safety - frequency of inspections (28-06-11)
We are reviewing our fire safety policy and have been discussing the inspection intervals for our lower risk blocks (ie, low-rise, non-sheltered blocks). We have a quarterly check carried out by electricians of the systems. In addition, it has been recommended that our housing staff inspect all blocks on a quarterly basis as well as doing an annual review of the fire risk assessment. I would be interested in hearing what other organisations do. Thanks
Paula Worswick of Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association
There are 5 answers
Panic alarm procedure/policy (21-06-11)
Does anyone have resident meeting rooms on-site that have a panic alarm in them which can be used? If so, do you have a policy or procedure governing the process to be followed which you would be willing to share?
Jane Watts of First Wessex
There is 1 answer
Near miss (accident) reporting (15-06-11)
I am currently investigating initiatives to increase reporting amongst our DLO for 'near misses'. It is well established that near miss reporting across the construction industry is poor. Is anyone willing to share any information on successfully implemented initiative schemes?
Daniel Dowling of Merlin Housing Society
There is 1 answer
Health and safety file contents list (15-06-11)
I am responsible for the CDMC policy and procedure at Jephson. I have been asked to review the health and safety file contents list. Jephson have three CDMC consultants appointed by OJEU and they all use slightly different templates. I was wondering if any SAFETYnet members had a good practice template which I could compare to the others which our CDMC's presently use (as I wish to update the template within Jephson's procedure guidance)?
Alison Day of Jephson Housing Association
There are 2 answers
Pregnant workers (14-06-11)
Does anyone have a pregnant workers risk assessment or toolkit that they would be willing to share? If so, please email them to safetynet@hqnetwork.co.uk so that they can be shared with other members. All help appreciated.
Vincent Lavery of Ark Housing Association 'NI' Limited
There is 1 answer
Asbestos information for tenants (06-06-11)
At previous SAFETYnet events I have spoken with colleagues who have a ‘simple’ hard copy document that is left in a tenants home showing where ACM's have been tested and identified. Please can someone share their format with me? I know some HAs have this information available to tenants via their websites but I am not in this position and a ‘hard copy’ option appears a good cheap and cheerful alternative. Any help would be much appreciated so please forward any documents to safetynet@hqnetwork.co.uk so that they can be uploaded to the website for the benefit of all SAFETYnet members.
Angela Douglas of Shropshire Council
There are no answers
Smoking in private vehicles (02-06-11)
This appears to be a very 'grey' area in terms of legislation and guidance. I have tried to research the issue of staff smoking in private vehicles being used for work purposes (eg, business class insurance applies and claiming mileage allowance, etc). If this is purely down to risk assessment, then since road traffic law will apply in terms of an unfortunate accident, would an investigation ignore the fact that a person was smoking at the time (eg, a distraction) or can the organisation be considered liable, especially if it failed to impose a ban on smoking in such vehicles?
Phill Firmin of MHS Homes
There is 1 answer
Non-licensed asbestos removal (13-05-11)
Our DLO operatives carry out non-licensed asbestos removals as part of their role. We are looking to develop a system to record these in order to comply with time restrictions on some of this work, as per the Control of Asbestos Regulations. Does anyone have a system in place they would be willing to share?
Sharon Zyta of Merlin Housing Society
There are 2 answers
First aid for lone workers (13-05-11)
I am sure that a similar question has been asked before, but I would appreciate some direction in provision of first aid training for lone workers (such as scheme supervisors in sheltered housing). Our health and safety committee have been debating this point at some length. I have said it is unnecessary (legally) to have a full blown first aid qualification. I am for first aid awareness training as being suitable and sufficient. Your opinion would be very much appreciated.
Vincent Lavery of Ark Housing Association 'NI' Limited
There are 3 answers
Self-closing devices on fire doors (06-04-11)
Does anybody have a fire safety policy which requires self-closing devices to be fitted to existing front entrance fire doors (to general needs domestic properties), which open onto a communal staircase or corridor within a block of flats? We know it is a requirement (under building regulations) for new properties to be fitted with self-closing devices but would be interested to seek your views (and those of your local Fire and Rescue Service if you have them) as to whether you are fitting self-closing devices to your existing doors as a result of your fire risk assessment.
Hayley Saunders of Shoosmiths
There is 1 answer
Lone working (17-01-11)
We are considering implementing a lone working procedure using an external agency to monitor our lone workers via their mobile phones. Is anyone using a similar system or considering implementing one?
Jane Crampton of Aspire Housing
There are 5 answers
Environmental Protection Act
I was in attendance at the 2009 SAFETYnet Annual Conference and there was quite a discussion around the access arrangements for gas servicing - a number of delegates from London confirmed that they also used the EPA to gain access. If anyone is willing to share their experiences of this way of gaining access, please could you contact me as we are keen to try this method. Thanks
Fiona Williamson of Dacorum Borough Council
There is 1 answer
Asbestos surveys in domestic properties
We have undertaken asbestos surveys in all our communal areas. There is an ongoing discussion prompted by the SAFETYnet release of a contractor being fined under Regulation 10(a) whether we should be undertaking sample surveys on our domestic properties and if this is covered under the revised 2010 Regulations. Is there anyone who can shed any light on this or give some guidance?
Vincent Lavery of Ark Housing Association 'NI' Limited
There are 4 answers
Winter gritting
Having seen the other question about winter gritting, I would also be grateful for any advice from others about when they decide that gritting should commence, ie, freezing, -1, -2, etc. Many thanks
Jean Muttitt of Severnside Housing
There are 2 answers
Snow and ice
Historically, we have gritted entrance ways to some of our blocks during the winter months but have never really had an agreed procedure. We are looking to formalise what we do. Obviously, we have obligations under the Workplace Regs and Occupiers Liability Act and are looking to do a risk assessment to decide where we need to grit. It may be that we limit this to sheltered schemes but we have the issue that we no longer have weekend cover on these sites so gritting would not be carried out over a weekend. It would be helpful to know what other organisations do and how you came to your decision.
Paula Worswick of Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association
There are 4 answers
Storage of mobility vehicles in communal areas
Hi. We have developed a policy for mobility vehicles which allows for, in some circumstances, the storage of these vehicles in the communal areas (means of escape/hallways) of sheltered blocks. This is obviously dependent on circumstances and works alongside guidance from the fire service. We have not extended the same degree of flexibility to general needs or commercial services properties as these are entirely a different risk profile and do not have the same level of staff support/checks. Has anyone else formally adopted a policy where the storage of such vehicles is not allowed in these communal areas either GN or CS blocks or even in sheltered schemes? Please feel free to email me directly. Thanks
Jane Watts of First Wessex
There are 5 answers
Asbestos management - Appointed person
The paper you have on managing asbestos is dated April 2009. Asbestos: The Survey Guide HSG264 came out this year, 2010, and INDG223 has also been revised for a second time. Since the terms 'duty holder', 'responsible person' and 'appointed person' are all used, it can confuse, possibly in a legal sense as well. Despite this I get the impression that asbestos is to be identified and managed, both to ensure that fibres are not released into the air and that employees/contractors or anyone else, are not exposed. Both the guides mention that someone from within the organisation should manage asbestos and my question is; can this be an external agency with relevant proven qualifications and experience?
Phill Firmin of MHS Homes
There are 3 answers
Hepatitis B vaccinations
We are currently reviewing our procedures for dealing with sharps, etc. I would be interested to know if any local authorities/HAs offer their staff Hepatitis B vaccinations? If so, to which groups of staff? Many thanks
Kevin Doxey of Futures Housing Group
There is 1 answer
First aid training for lone workers
Good afternoon. Just a quick question that I hope you can help me with. What first aid training for lone workers, such as our repairs and maintenance teams, would be deemed as suitable and sufficient? Thank you
Mark Kenworthy of St Leger Homes of Doncaster
There is 1 answer
The use of bleach for cleaning
We currently have a policy that prohibits the use of bleach in cleaning offices and communal areas of our blocks. We have had a request from our caretakers to change the policy to allow them to use it. Do any other organisations prohibit its use and can anyone advise on appropriate alternatives? Thanks
Paula Worswick of Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association
There are 3 answers
Lost contact escalation procedures
We are currently reviewing our lone worker policy. As part of this we are looking at lost contact procedure for visiting staff. Does anyone have such a procedure they could share with us? Many thanks
Bill Shaw of Poole Housing Partnership
There is 1 answer
Items left in communal areas of blocks
I would be interested to know how other local authorities/HAs are dealing with items left in communal areas of blocks; is there a general zero tolerance approach or good practice guidelines? We have a situation where people have doormats, potted plants, etc, in communal areas, especially in the smaller one-bed blocks where communal areas have become an extension of peoples homes. RBFRS in Reading have said we have to clear everything out, although preferable, it may be impractical and difficult to monitor! Also, in other blocks where people leave prams and bicycles, etc, in communal areas we do get them cleared but would be interesting to know how others approach this and what is a reasonable timescale for them to clear the belongings.
Collette Baker of Reading Borough Council
There are 2 answers
Gas servicing
One of my responsibilities is ensuring gas appliances are inspected each year. A great deal of effort and money goes into ensuring that over 99% of our properties have a CP12 that is no more than 12 months old. This is fine, but in order to do this it is necessary to bring forward the date we begin the process by six weeks. Obviously if we are successful in gaining access in the early stages of the process, the service has to be brought forward by a similar period next year and so on. The net result will eventually be that most of our dwellings will have an extra service in a period of around nine years (a cost of up to £2m, or £220k per annum, to us). The cost of this across the country must be many millions of pounds. Clearly no one wants to compromise on gas safety, but I do not believe the legislation ever intended this literal interpretation, nor do I believe that it is an imperative to ensure safety. When we renew the annual MOT on our cars (which is another important safety check), we are able to preserve the anniversary date of the certificate even if the inspection is carried out a month early. My question is, could the same methodology, as now applied to vehicle MOTs, be applied to gas servicing? In my view this would not compromise safety, but would save millions of pounds across the country.
Martin Weaver of Hackney Homes
There is 1 answer
Stay-put policies
Ashfield Homes Limited recently introduced changes to sheltered scheme evacuation procedures, after concerns raised by Notts Fire and Rescue Service regarding the company's stay-put policy at sheltered schemes under AHL's management. After a lengthy consultation process, the stay-put policy was abandoned and we have now moved to full evacuation of tenants/residents upon fire alarm activations. Have any other ALMOs/housing organisations been in liaison with their local fire/authority regarding the suitability of stay-put policies at sheltered schemes?
Scott Tilley of Ashfield Homes
There are 3 answers
Work at height
Work at height - what are other ALMOs/housing organisations policies on access onto/egress from flatbed vehicles? Has this task/issue been risk assessed, and if so, what was the outcome of the assessment?
Scott Tilley of Ashfield Homes
There is 1 answer
Mobility scooters within community centres
Is there a consensus of opinion regarding the use of mobility scooters within community centres? I would be grateful for any feedback. Obviously fire risk assessments would suggest this isn't really an option, as well as any significant physical changes that may need to be made under DDA may not be reasonable.
Matt Hardy of A1 Housing Bassetlaw
There is 1 answer
Benchmarking questions
If you have any questions about the SAFETYnet benchmarking exercise taking place from 22 March 2010 - 7 May 2010, please get in touch. You can reach SAFETYnet by contacting HQN on 0845 4747 004, emailing SAFETYnet at safetynet@hqnetwork.co.uk or by uploading a question to this question and answer discussion board. All questions and answers will remain anonymous as 'SAFETYnet benchmarking participant' unless otherwise requested. Download your SAFETYnet benchmarking grid at: http://www.snet.org.uk/page/view/22. Don't forget the deadline for submission is 7 May 2010.
Linda Spindley of HQN
There are no answers
Removing gas risers from high-rise accommodation
Have any members been involved in removing gas risers from high-rise accommodation to remove risk of gas leaks or possible explosive failures? I am very much interested in the approach taken and how the removal was managed with customers, with and without gas appliances.
Marc Mayall of Worcester Community Housing
There is 1 answer
KPIs
I am looking to apply Key Performance Indicators in our association. I am considering some for training, audits, both of internal practices and from contractors. Has anyone done these and can you provide some guidelines in terms of terminology, percentages, etc? Thanks in anticipation.
Anne Mageean of Helm Housing
There is 1 answer
Staff cars
At Poole Housing Partnership we have recently had an issue regarding taking residents to functions/meetings in staff cars. Does anyone have a policy on such an issue or guidance they could share with me? Many thanks Bill
Poole Housing Partnership SAFETYnet of Poole Housing Partnership
There is 1 answer
Thermal mixing taps
Like other housing providers, Severnside Housing manages a range of stock, including sheltered accommodation. We would like to know how other housing providers have developed their policies with regard to thermal mixing valves to prevent scalding. We are hoping to share practice and learn how other providers are managing this issue for their existing stock.
Jean Muttitt of Severnside Housing
There is 1 answer
Reporting of accidents/incidents
We are currently updating our system of reporting/recording incidents and accidents. Does anyone have a good example they could share? Many thanks
Bill Shaw of Poole Housing Partnership
There are no answers
RoSPA awards
URGENT - Are there any ALMO's currently holding RoSPA awards? If so, who?
John Stapleton of
There are 2 answers
Carbon monoxide detectors
What are other organisations doing in terms of fitting carbon monoxide detectors to their properties?
Steve Terrance of Gentoo Group Ltd
There are 2 answers
Management standards
I am hoping to use the HSEs management standards within our housing association. I would be grateful for comments from anyone who has used them before or if anyone would be interested in benchmarking these?
Anne Mageean of Helm Housing
There is 1 answer
Violence towards members of staff
We have a very small number of tenants who, in the past, have been violent towards our members of staff or other agencies we work with. We have, in some cases, been successful in applying for injunctions and evicting them. However, this can take some time to achieve and has not always been possible to evict. What actions do other organisations take with such tenants, in particular, what actions are taken when urgent emergency repairs are necessary and there is concern for the safety of the operative/s required to visit this property?
Kevin Doxey of Futures Housing Group
There is 1 answer
Battery charging of mobility scooters
I would be interested to find out if any other members have had to tackle the issue of battery charging of mobility scooters in sheltered schemes? If so, do you have a written policy on this?
John McGee of Moat Homes
There is 1 answer
Literature and procedures for fires in flats
In the light of recent tragic events relating to fires in flats and particularly high rise, we are reviewing all our procedures. In particular we want to review our literature that we give to residents and that we put up in communal areas. Has anyone else done this, and if so, would you be prepared to share examples of leaflets/signage, etc, that you have used?
Bill Shaw of Poole Housing Partnership
There are 2 answers
Electrical testing policy/procedure
Does any member have an electrical testing policy/procedure we can reference, use?
Alan Gardner of Lewisham Homes
There is 1 answer
Asbestos information to tenants
In light of the report commissioned by UCATT regarding the true asbestos risks in homes, have any organisations already done or are considering giving information to tenants on specific asbestos content within their properties?
Gentoo Group SAFETYnet of Gentoo Group Ltd
There is 1 answer
European Week for Health and Safety
What activities or events is your organisation planning to acknowledge this important event and raise awareness about health and safety?
Vicki Cutler of HQN
There is 1 answer
National Personal Safety Day
What activities or events is your organisation planning to raise awareness about this important issue?
Vicki Cutler of HQN
There is 1 answer
Manual handling - boiler replacement
I would really appreciate any advice on solving a manual handling problem to do with the replacement of boilers in airing cupboards. Insufficient space in narrow airing cupboards results in operatives having to work alone to remove a boiler and replace it. Fitting the new boiler to wall brackets is one of the most significant manual handling tasks where it is impossible for two people to get in the space to lift the boiler onto the brackets and I have been unable to find any equipment which will allow enough space for a single operative to work from the front of the airing cupboard. Does anyone else have the same problem and even better, a solution? Your help would be much appreciated.
Jean Muttitt of Severnside Housing
There is 1 answer
Emergency call out examples
I have to present a table top exercise for emergency call out officers in October 'How to manage a call out'. As you are all aware we just had a fatality in a passenger lift in a tower block. I was called out and managed it very well, police HSE, cleaning and press. Obviously I can use that as an example but does anyone have any other examples I could use?
Sam Kerrison of Redbridge Homes
There are no answers
Accident reporting database
My organisation is currently looking at changing our accident reporting procedure. This will involve implementing a new electronic reporting system that can produce comprehensive and useful data. I would like to know what systems other members are using; whether you have developed your own systems or whether you are using bespoke products available on the market that you can recommend. Your assistance is much appreciated.
SAFETYnet member of SAFETYnet
There is 1 answer
Leaflet on gas inspections
I would like to know if any members have a leaflet or document that they send to their residents in respect of the importance of allowing trained maintenance engineers into their property to undertake gas servicing and/or gas inspections? If you are willing to share a document that you have for this request, please send it to SAFETYnet@hqnetwork.co.uk
Sam Kerrison of Redbridge Homes
There is 1 answer
Swine flu procedures
We are currently looking at a staff procedure to manage possible swine flu outbreaks within our customer base in relation to reactive repairs, supported housing and estate management. We have given staff advice on this but have any SAFETYnet members put together a full procedure in relation to maintaining services to properties where swine flu has been confirmed?
Marc Mayall of Worcester Community Housing
There is 1 answer
Occupational health
Poole Housing Partnership buys occupational health support and provision for staff from our Council as part of a service agreement. We are currently reviewing this and would be grateful to hear from other organisations who buy such services in. We would like to get an idea of what everyone else is paying and the type of service they recieve.
Bill Shaw of Poole Housing Partnership
There is 1 answer
Swine flu
Does any organisation have 'contingency' or 'continuity' plans in place, for staff, but also more specifically for those supported living residents in sheltered accommodation who may require additional support during this time?
John McGee of Moat Homes
There is 1 answer
Driving at work policy
I am working on a driving at work policy and would like to hear from anyone who has produced such a policy.
Alan Gardner of Lewisham Homes
There are 2 answers
Legionella risk
Could I ask what systems or procedures members have to deal with the Legionella risk in tenant's properties and common part in sheltered accommodation?
SAFETYnet member of SAFETYnet
There are 2 answers
Occupational health and safety management system OHSAS 18001
Have any of our members have been down this path previously and would be willing to share any of their experiences?
SAFETYnet of HQN
There are 2 answers