90 days from today is Mon, 17 June 2024

West Midlands Police Federation

West Midlands Police Federation contact details

Health & Safety

Policy statement

Police officers do a risky and dangerous job. It is vital that forces recognises the challenging nature of operational policing and the hazardous environments in which officers are required to work.

Effective health and safety risk management must be integral to the culture of the police service so that the right balance is achieved between operational policing and health and safety duties.

Sound health and safety arrangements must be fully integrated into operational policing in order to reduce risks wherever possible.

Summary

Police officers inevitably face significant and serious dangers in the course of their work and health and safety legislation exists to provide protections for officers wherever possible. Health and safety law does not prevent police officers from delivering an effective emergency service.

The Police (Health & Safety) Act 1997 made police officers employees for the purposes of health and safety legislation. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) and the regulations made under it apply to all work activities. A breach of any of these duties is a criminal act.

PFEW believes that there is no legal reason for the police service to be treated differently from any other service or organisation. Section 2(1) of the 1974 Health and Safety Act states that it is the central duty of the employer to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare of all employees. The qualification “so far as is reasonably practicable” means that there should be no conflict between effective policing and compliance with health and safety legislation.

Suitable and sufficient risk assessments should ensure that, whilst dangerous activities may need to be undertaken, the risk involved should be reduced to as low as is reasonably practicable.

Proper observance of health, safety and welfare must go hand in hand with the provision of effective policing. In the hazardous police environment, the legislation strives to create work surroundings, which are free, as far as is reasonably practicable, from risk, so that officers’ working conditions are as safe as possible.

Your Health & Safety Representatives (correct as Oct 21)

 

 West Midlands Police Health, Safety & Welfare Committee  

 Committee Member  Location  Department & Subject Covered Phone Number Email
 Chair - Wayne Bennet

 Learning &   Development

 Learning & Development

07951 751 150 email
 Secretary - Deano Walker

 Brierley Hill
 Police Station

 Dudley NPU,
 H&S Committee Secretary,
 Dog Section & Firearms, Vehicle
 User Group, CMPG, Force Traffic
07812 422 578 email

 Dep Chair - Lee Hayward

 Wolverhampton

 Response, WV NPU & Lead for   Uniform & Equipment

07951 236 994 email
 Dep Secretary - Jason Sayers    Learning & 
 Development
 Learning & Development 07772 529 130 email
 Lorayne Brown  Edgbaston  Force Support 07792 772 481 email
 Lee Hayward  Force
 Response
 Wolverhampton 
 Response, WV NPU & Lead for
 Uniform & Equipment
07951 236 994 email
 Simon Wheeler  Birmingham
 West NPU
 Birmingham West NPU 07534 279 654 email
 Mick Woods  Wolverhampton  Custody / CJ 07951 751 151

email

 Rich Cooke  Walsall  Walsall NPU 07974 220 292 email
 Jason Dooley  West Bromwich  Force CID 07972 916 128 email
 Ian Smith  Brierley Hill  Dudley NPU 07792 767 084 email
 Andria Forrester  Tally Ho &   Halesowen  Tally Ho L&D 07972 918 262 email
 Suky Bagri  Coventry  Operations 07972 916 476 email

 

Other useful documents

Assault on Police Employees - 10 Point Plan

A Short Guide to Making your Premises Safe from Fire

Blood-borne Viruses in the Workplace

Consulting Employees on Health & Safety

Preventing Slips and Trips at Work

Role Responsibility of a Health & Safety Leader

Working Time Regulation Guide