Hi All
Can anyone help me with a presentation if have to deliver on Thursday:
Key components of a successful Health, Safety and Fire Management System and their application within a maximum security custodial environment.
Looking for advice is it general Health and Safety in custodial environment is it about the prisoners or wardens or such as manual handling, COSHH, welfare facilities and prison conditions.

Derek,
The key components will not change from HSG 65 or OHSAS 18001. It’s the contents in then that will.
I wouldn’t look at the one type of person but all as a holistic approach. For example look at both prisoners and staff and do not try and differentiate between the two from a H&S point of view. If you get it wrong for one, in a locked and secure environment, you’ll get it wrong for many. For example searching of prisoners: you might need to search staff/visitors also. Fire training for staff? Prisoners need to know what to do also.
Moreover, you’ll need to consider visitors, contractors and the public.
I was aware of the Scottish Prison Service aims COCO-Custody, Order, Care and Opportunity.
In the first instance there is a need to keep those committed to prison in custody. There are safety issues around that for all. Locked doors, keys, security of keys, night time, staff numbers, ratio between male and female.
I would suggest although COSHH and manual handling are important I would concentrate on the following:
Violence and aggression. If you are in a high security area people can become aggressive over the very simple things. Think about training, restraint, policy of aggressive prisoners.
Conditioning: Some long term violent prisoners are masters of conditioning. There are safety implications round this.
Body excrements: Blood, sick, puke, urine, faeces all are common hazards in high security areas. Think policy, training, spill kits, inoculations etc.
Fire: We all know it’s not normally the fire it is the smoke that kills. In a jail fire is exceptionally hazardous! Know about policy, fire retardant material, restricted items in cell (paper / books etc), good internal and external housekeeping, BA apparatus for cell snatches, training, equipment, local liasing with fire brigades.
PTSD: Don’t ever think that the staff working in these arduous environments are tough as nails. They might portray this but they are human also. After high stress situations like hostage taking, stabbings or assaults staff will need help.
Good luck.