INTRODUCTION

REPORTING

ACTION PLAN

SUPPORTING GUIDANCE

OTHER ACTIONS

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

INTRODUCTION

REPORTING

• Clearly if we are to contribute towards the objectives identified at the outset each individual Company needs to have a means by which it can measure its own performance against the Industry and the Industry will need a means by which it can measure its own performance against other Sectors, and of course therefore, determine its level of contribution to the overall National priorities.
• This will be done in a number of ways, the first of which will be by use of the accident surveys undertaken by the British Ceramic Confederation. With regard to all other aspects of the programme a progress report form will be completed by the responsible Director each year. This will be circulated to individual companies in October.
• All the information received will be presented in a comprehensive report by the British Ceramic Confederation for circulation to all companies and will be used to determine the contribution made by the Ceramic Industry to the National targets and by individual companies to assess their own performance against that of the Industry.

   

ACTION PLAN

TO REDUCE ILL HEALTH, ACCIDENTS AND MAJOR/MINOR INJURY RATES:

	MANAGEMENT ACTION	TRAINING	THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE	THE BRITISH CERAMIC CONFEDERATION	TRADES UNIONS
By the end of the first year (December 2001)	Companies to have nominated a director responsible for health and safety improvement. All companies to have surveyed their workforce and drawn up an action plan. All companies to have issued to all employees The British Ceramic Confederation induction pack or an equivalent. All companies to establish a Health & Safety Committee.	All companies to have drawn up a training plan focusing on the three priorities identified in the accompanying report, i.e. ‘The Establishment of a Hard Targets Strategy for the Ceramics Industry’.	The Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee to conduct further research into industry specific ill-health issues.   The Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee to have implemented a comprehensive ‘accident information exchange’ system and for all companies and safety representatives to act where appropriate on the information received.   The Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee to establish a Monitoring Board to review progress.   The Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee to analyse top 10 accident causes by sub-sector and present findings.	For The British Ceramic Confederation to have established a ‘contractors charter’ and approved contractors list focused on identified high-risk activities. The British Ceramic Confederation to extend coverage of Accident Surveys.	For the Trade Unions to have a trained safety representative in all ceramic companies where their members are employed.
BY THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR (DECEMBER 2002)	Companies to have repeated employee survey and implemented action plan prepared in year 1.   Companies to be reporting annually on health and safety issues, progress and targets through The British Ceramic Confederation Accident Survey and accompanying report form.	All companies to have achieved 33% of the targeted increase in supervisors and managers qualified in health and safety by a recognised qualification (eg National Examination Board for Occupational Safety & Health; Institution for Occupational Safety & Health etc.)	The Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee to have produced and circulated (top 5 accidents cause-based) one page Best Practice Guidance Notes.	The British Ceramic Confederation to prepare a report on key indicators. (Each year)   The British Ceramic Confederation to have drawn up a comprehensive national list of occupational health specialists and physiotherapists.	To maintain a thorough review of the effectiveness of health and safety representatives and to ensure continuous up date of knowledge.

	MANAGEMENT ACTION	TRAINING	THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE	THE BRITISH CERAMIC CONFEDERATION	TRADES UNIONS
BY THE END OF THE THIRD YEAR (DECEMBER 2003)	Companies to have repeated employee survey and implemented action plan prepared in year 2.       All companies to make available to its employees where appropriate suitable occupational health specialists advice and physiotherapy as a preventative measure.	All companies to have achieved a 66% increase of the targeted increase in supervisors and managers qualified in health and safety by a recognised qualification (eg National Examination Board for Occupational Safety & Health; Institution for Occupational Safety & Health etc).     For supervisors/managers to be suitably qualified and future training needs reviewed/planned     Companies to provide training for members of health and safety committees.	The Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee to have produced and circulated 5 further ( i.e. 10 in all by 2003) one page Best Practice Guidance Notes.         The Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee to identify where specific help is required and advise as appropriate.	For BCC to have designed and implemented an Industry/Sector health and safety award and for the presentations to take place at an award ceremony.	To continue re-training programme in line with health and safety developments.
BY THE END OF THE FOURTH YEAR (DECEMBER 2004)	Industry to have achieved 15% reduction in accident incidence rate.         Companies to have repeated employee survey and implemented action plan prepared in year 3	All companies to have achieved 100% of the targeted increase in supervisors and managers qualified in health and safety by a recognised qualification (eg National Examination Board for Occupational Safety & Health; Institution for Occupational Safety & Health etc)	A full programme to have been drawn up for year five and beyond, by The Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee Monitoring Board.     The Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee to have established SME’s helpline/website, handbook and video.	A full programme to have been drawn up for year five and beyond.	To continue re-training programme in line with health and safety developments.

SUPPORTING GUIDANCE

1 MANAGING THE PROGRAMME

Companies to have nominated a director with overall responsibility for THE management of the programme of work

This appointment is of vital importance to the success of the programme. The primary role of the responsible Director is of driving through improvement and is therefore managerial in nature. The following points need to be borne in mind when making the selection :-

 

The responsible director will require the necessary authority, commitment and drive to make things happen.

 

He/she need not be an expert in Health and Safety.

 

He/she will be responsible for compiling annual Health and Safety Performance reports, and should be held accountable.

 

By appointing a Main Board Director everybody in the organisation should recognise the real change in Health and Safety culture, which gives the programme real impetus and impact.

 

Each Board of Directors to draw up an action plan and monitor progress at Board meetings.

2 ATTITUDE SURVEY OF WORKFORCE

ENGAGING THE EMPLOYEES IS CRITICAL TO BRINGING ABOUT CHANGE

This step is needed to obtain feedback from all employees regarding their concerns about the state of health and safety in the company. The survey should be carried out in the most appropriate way for the company. This may be through a questionnaire, an example of which is shown at Appendix 1, however, alternative means may well be more appropriate. Above all else :-

 

This is not a moans and groans exercise.

 

The feedback should be filtered to establish priorities, which will contribute to the Pledge.

 

Peripheral issues of low priority will clearly need to be dealt with but are outside the scope of the revitalising programme.

 

The responsible Director to install the appropriate reporting system, which ensures that each identified task, is completed within defined timetables.

 

3 THE SAFETY COMMITTEE

THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO REVITALISE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE IN YOUR COMPANY.

The Health and Safety Committee should be seen as a powerful forum and one that is failing if it isn’t making a real difference to Health and Safety Performance. An effective Committee needs :-

 

Strong and focused Management.

 

A positive set of terms of reference.

 

Suitably trained and aware members with a sharp eye for knowing what really matters and what makes a difference.

 

A definite programme of work which has been delegated and actively monitored.

 

Balance of Membership of Committee to include all relevant parties.

4 TRAINING PLAN

Training must play a vital part in increasing the skill and knowledge levels amongst Management and Supervisors, Trade Union Health and Safety representatives and Safety Committee members to ensure that they are continuously aware of their responsibilities and have an eye for health and safety and a willingness to continually improve.

There are numerous courses and opportunities for the improvement of skill levels amongst Manager and Supervisors to the field of Health and Safety and a Company must have regard to the following points :-

 

Not everybody will need to be trained to the same level.

 

Companies should establish what is available and decide what is required of each individual and what they will need to fulfil their responsibilities.

 

Suggested courses could include Institution for Occupational Safety & Health; National Examination Board for Occupational Safety & Health.

 

Trade Union Council courses are available for Health and Safety representatives and members of Health and Safety Committees, i.e. Stages 1 and 2.

 

The British Ceramic Confederation will be offering an appropriate course following further discussions with the Health and Safety Executive and Trade Unions.

OTHER ACTIONS

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q1. What does this mean for my Company?

The Ceramics Industry Health and Safety Pledge will give your Company the focus and support necessary to make real improvements in Health and Safety and therefore business performance.

Q2. What support will my Company receive?

Each Company will receive considerable support from the British Ceramic Confederation, the Trades Unions and the Health and Safety Executive each of which have taken on specific tasks to ensure that targets are met. These tasks are detailed in the Action Plan.

Q3. What are the main health and safety concerns in the Ceramic Industry?

A comprehensive study of all accident statistics has taken place and the following tables show the summary statistics:-

MAJOR ACCIDENTS IN THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY
	Ceramic/ Household	Sanitary	Refractories	Heavy Clay	Others
1995/96	32	0	26	16	0
1996/97	32	11	27	31	15
1997/98	34	8	31	35	14
1998/99	36	9	30	50	15
1999/2000	27	6	32	34	14

MINOR ACCIDENTS IN THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY
	Ceramic/ Household	Sanitary	Refractories	Heavy Clay	Others
1995/96	402	1	163	252	0
1996/97	180	52	177	171	75
1997/98	216	87	177	191	56
1998/99	174	61	176	183	68
1999/2000	197	82	172	203	87

What the tables show is that inspite of the occasional fluctuation it is proving extremely difficult to maintain consistent reduction in accidents. This point becomes all the more pertinent when we consider that the figures represent only the number of accidents recorded and do not relate to incidence.

 

Q4. What are the benefits for my Company?

 

In terms of engaging in the principle of continuous improvement each Company will derive significant benefit from this process, in terms of :-

• signing up gives a very positive message about your company to the public at large including prospective recruits
• significant reduction in absenteeism
• speedier return to work for those suffering from ill-health
• benefits with regard to the insurance premiums

Q5. Where do we go for help?

There is plenty of help available for all companies. A good starting point can be found at Appendix 2.

 

Q6. What are the first steps I would need to take in the first year? (See notes for Guidance, page 8)

 

design and implement your own means for surveying your employees

establish your nominated Director responsible for health and safety

make sure that your Health and Safety Committee if it exists is working efficiently and is making a real difference. If you do not have one then create one.

make sure your health and safety committee know exactly what its terms of reference are.

Q7. What targets will we be measured against?

In view of the fact that a significant part of the programme is intended to reduce accidents The British Ceramic Confederation Accident Survey will be the basis upon which Sectors will be monitored using as a starting point, the average number of accidents between the years 1999/2000 taken as the base point.

Q8. The Pledge appears to apply to Accidents only, what about ill-health?

 

The Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee has accepted that with respect to ill-health, there are significant issues which require consideration, and in its first year will be designing the best way in which to tackle the ill-health issues to ensure that whatever targets are set, are sensible given all the circumstances

 

Q9. How do I know which is the most appropriate course to send my Managers on, and where do I go to get them?

IOSH and NEBOSH qualifications are nation wide and are recognised and accredited by the appropriate bodies. CERISHEC is a course which was developed by The British Ceramic Confederation three years ago, it is an open learning package which provides Management with the basic skills required to carry out risk assessment. During the early part of the first year, steps will be taken to ensure that CERISHEC is reviewed, updated and offered to all the Ceramics Industry should they choose to use it.

Q10. What happens if my Company does not sign up to the Pledge?

Any Company not signing up to the Pledge will be seen to be falling short of the standards being generally accepted within the Industry. More than that, it would miss an opportunity to make a real improvement to its own business performance in reducing accidents, ill-health, absenteeism and helping people to return to work more speedily.

Q11. What is the timetable from now on?

During the first few months of 2001, each Company will be invited to sign the Pledge indicating their commitment to the cause. The British Ceramic Confederation is looking to ensure that all its Member Companies support and commit to the Pledge, the result will be an official launch in March, followed by the implementation of the first year of the programme starting on 1 April 2001.

 

Q12. How will this improve my bottom line ?

It is now accepted that ill-health and accidents at work represent a significant cost burden, and although there is no single definitive measure, the potential savings from reducing absence from work caused by ill-health and accidents means improved production and significantly reduced litigation and insurance premiums.

 

 

 

Appendix 1

HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARENESS QUESTIONNAIRE

Completing the questionnaire is easy. There are no right and wrong answers, it is your thoughts that count. Just read the statement, decide whether or not you agree with it and tick the appropriate box.

Where a statement refers to Supervisor* then this means the person whom you report directly, which may be a Supervisor, Team Leader, Shift Manager or Manager.

	STRONGLY AGREE	AGREE	AGREE NOR DISAGREE	DISAGREE	STRONGLY DISAGREE
My work area is safe
Safety is given high priority here
I am aware of the H&S risks in the job I do
I have been adequately trained to do my job safely
I do not cut corners or take risks in my job
When I am aware of a safety problem, I report it to my Supervisor*
My Supervisor* consults me with regard to safety matters
My Supervisor* listens and responds to what I have to say
I feel involved in making my factory a safer place to work

Please identify 3 specific safety risks that could be improved at your site :-

Appendix 2

 

Chairman

 

Mr Geoff Baker, Health and Safety Executive: 02920 263000

 

Secretary

 

Mr Terry Aston, Health and Safety Executive: 01782 602300

 

Members

 

Mr J Alcock, Ceramic & Allied Trades Union: 01782 272755

Mr Roger Pearman, Ceramic & Allied Trades Union: 01782 272755

Dr Martin Moore, Morgan Materials Technology Ltd: 01299 827557

Mr Francis Morrall, British Ceramic Confederation: 01782 744631

Mr Keith Morton, Ibstock Brick Ltd: 01530 261999

Mr Mick Young, Ceramic & Allied Trades Union: 01782 272755

Mr Gary Oakes, Ceramic & Allied Trades Union: 01782 272755

Mr Alan Hansbury, Royal Doulton UK: 01782 533121

Mr Len McCluskey, Transport & General Worker’s Union: 02076 112500

Mr Stuart Adams, Johnson Matthey Plc: 01782 590000

Mr Harry Fraser, Potclays Ltd: 01782 219816

Observer

 

Ms J Dawson, Ceram Research: 01782 845431