THE county council has underlined its commitment to the health and well-being of staff and customers.

The pledge comes after work-related stress was named as the number one cause of staff sickness, and the authority was ranked as sixth highest authority out of all councils across the north west by number of absences.

But Celia Tibble, cabinet member for environment, who delivered the report, said that health and safety performance data and staff absence was “showing an improving trend year on year.”

The cabinet agreed on Thursday (October 18) to approve the 2018 Health and Safety Policy Statement, and the publication of the 2017/18 Annual Health and Safety Report.

The report outlines the council’s legal responsibilities when it comes to safeguarding employees, councillors, trade union representatives and members of the public.

The council reported 36 incidents to the Health and Safety Executive, down from 44 in 2016/17, while staff absence levels were lower in 2017/18 than the previous year.

The report noted a “strong programme of workplace well–being initiatives” which has seen the county achieve a Silver Better Health at Work Award.

Coun Tibble added: “By establishing and maintaining robust health, safety and well–being management systems, the council will strive for continual improvement in our safety performance and governance arrangements.

“We aim to demonstrate a positive health, safety and well–being culture via increased staff and trade union engagement, and a raised profile through effective communication, safety campaigns and learning from others.”

It is understood that the council’s large in-house adult social care service, and large highways department, with staff working outdoors in challenging environments all year round, pushes up the council’s sickness figures.

A council spokesman previously pointed out that “comparisons are not always like-for-like”.

The authority had also noted that it is faced with unprecedented financial challenges which impact on the workforce, yet more more than 90 per cent of staff recorded zero absence during the year.

The report noted that staff working in Highways, Social Care and the Fire service were at the greatest risk.

Coun Tibble added: “Although the level of reported incidents involving staff is low compared to the size of the council workforce, all incidents and near misses must be taken seriously.”

Following recommendations made by an internal audit report in February, a “robust” health and safety action plan was put in place.