Council buildings half empty in Halton due to pandemic remote working
A report said Covid-19 had also resulted in 1,219 absences across all council departments and schools.
Halton Borough Council's Municipal Building on Kingsway in Widnes. (Widnes Weekly News)
By Mark Smith, Local Democracy Reporter
Council buildings across Halton remain half empty as many staff continue to work remotely due to the pandemic.
An accident and injury report to the authority's corporate policy and performance board revealed there had also been a number of attacks and incidents of abuse against council staff - including from anti vaccine protesters - over the last year.
The report - which outlines health and safety issues at work for council and school employees - revealed there had been 1,219 Covid absences during the entire pandemic across all council departments and schools - which have around 4,200 staff.
The report said ventilation, cleaning and hygiene remained top priorities in the workplace and that it was still operating at 50% occupancy across council buildings.
It added there had been a reduction in personal protective equipment (PPE) support from government but this continued to be available in some health and social care settings.
It said: "Covid-19 still remains and as an authority we are following government guidance and working towards living with the virus.
"There is continued demand for personal protective equipment with central distribution still available via the PPE hub at the DCBL stadium.
"The free government support has now ended for the hub but CQC (Care Quality Commission) registered services are still receiving support via the government PPE portal."
The report said there had been a reduction in accidents and violent incidents involving staff but that this was now starting to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Between April 1 last year and the end of March this year, there were 20 accidents and nine near misses involving council workers.
These included two people being hit by a moving vehicle, two being injured by sharps - which can include syringes, blades and scalpels - and one by an animal.
There were 28 verbal and eight physical incidents.
The verbal incidents included one involving anti vaccine protesters as well as emails and voicemails received by the housing team from one person.
Physical attacks included those involving waste management, fostering, care home and health and safety workers.
In schools, there were 21 physical incidents, mainly involving the same four children, and two verbal incidents involving racism.
The report, which was scheduled to be discussed at a meeting on Tuesday, June 7, outlined a number of recommendations including a review of lone working arrangements and monitoring practices.
Read more news from Runcorn and Widnes, Cheshire, here.
