Attack on social worker, botched cremator installation and Houghton Feast incidents among health and safety cases to be discussed by senior Sunderland councillors
An attack on a social worker and the botched installation of a cremator are among health and safety incidents to be examined by city leaders.
By Ross Robertson
Published 13th Sep 2019, 13:16 BST
Updated 13th Sep 2019, 14:21 BST
A list of accidents, assaults and other concerns is included in Sunderland City Council’s annual Health and Safety report for 2018/19.
The paper, due to be debated by the council’s ruling cabinet on Tuesday September 17, also features details of ‘near miss’ events on Wearside, as well as efforts to make sure they aren’t repeated.
Gale force winds in September 2018 brought down an Ash tree and a cast iron lamp post. A member of the public was reportedly hit on the head by a branch from the stricken tree, although the report adds the incident ‘was not witnessed at the time’. Inspections of the fallen 5m ‘heritage style’ lamp post found its collapse had been caused by rust, leading to the inspection of all the park’s lamp posts, with 19 replaced as a result. Council bosses said this ‘highlighted that all of the lighting columns within the park had not been included in the maintenance schedule for many years’, but they are now assessed regularly. Photo: Google Streetview
During a visit in February a social worker was attacked ‘without warning’ by a ‘service user’. According to the council’s report: “A member of hospital staff was present and performed breakaway training to separate the service user from the social worker. “The social worker returned to the workplace and reported the incident to her Line Manager. “A specific risk assessment for the social worker was undertaken and an appropriate protective device identified.” Photo: AN
A person was dropped while being hoisted by a worker for the Sunderland Care and Support service. According to the council’s report, the hoist fell from its overhead track while a ‘customer’ was being transported from a sensory room in October 2018. Paramedics were called, but the person was not injured, but maintenance schedules were tightened as a result. Photo: Tom Banks