Safety improvements still needed in manufacturing, says HSE
12:08 - 29/11/2010
Safety improvements still needed in m...
Despite a reduction in the number of employees in the manufacturing industry dying or becoming injured at work, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have highlighted that accident rates are still above the average rate for all industries.
The latest figures show that 158 employees per 100,000 are seriously injured or killed while carrying out manufacturing work. The all-industry average is 102 employees per 100,000.
Improvements have been made – the number of reported major injuries has fallen by 11% and the number of injuries serious enough to cause workers to be absent from work for three or more days fell by 16%, while there 22 deaths compared to the yearly average of 33 - but the HSE is still urging the sector to make further safety improvements.
Geoff Cox, Head of Manufacturing for HSE, explained: “We are encouraged that there are fewer deaths and injuries in manufacturing this year, but we cannot afford to become complacent. The actual rate of death and injury, though that has fallen too, is still significantly higher than that taken from across all workplaces.
“As Britain moves out of recession and work starts up again, we must continue to focus on real health and safety. History shows that accident rates rise in such periods, as new workers are taken on and industry works closer to its capacity. We don’t want these improvements to be lost in the economic recovery.”
As one of the UK’s leading health and safety training providers, First Response Training is concerned that workplace safety may have become less of a priority for firms during the economic downturn and subsequent recovery.
Managing Director, Perry Leeks, says: “In the first instance, properly trained personnel such as workplace first aiders, fire marshals and other safety representatives, may have fallen prey to job cuts with no one being trained to take their place. Many firms have made the decision to cull staff training programmes and, even as they recover and prospects improve, health and safety may have fallen down the list of priorities.
“This is a worry for employers and employees alike; as well as the risk to life, companies will fail to meet legal or insurance requirements and could face enforcement action or prosecution. Companies need to ensure that health and safety procedures remain in place. Regulatory bodies such as the HSE will continue to monitor safety standards and take action against firms who are putting their workers or the general public at risk, no matter what the economic situation. Health and safety will never be a redundant issue, as the statistics prove.”
First Response Training offers an extensive and diverse portfolio of health and safety training courses and can provide training through practical, blended or distance learning options. They have a wide range of e-learning training courses, which are a cost-effective alternative to practical training, and they will work with your organisation to tailor a package that best suits your requirements and budget.
For more information, please call First Response Training today on 0800 310 2300.
The latest figures show that 158 employees per 100,000 are seriously injured or killed while carrying out manufacturing work. The all-industry average is 102 employees per 100,000.
Improvements have been made – the number of reported major injuries has fallen by 11% and the number of injuries serious enough to cause workers to be absent from work for three or more days fell by 16%, while there 22 deaths compared to the yearly average of 33 - but the HSE is still urging the sector to make further safety improvements.
Geoff Cox, Head of Manufacturing for HSE, explained: “We are encouraged that there are fewer deaths and injuries in manufacturing this year, but we cannot afford to become complacent. The actual rate of death and injury, though that has fallen too, is still significantly higher than that taken from across all workplaces.
“As Britain moves out of recession and work starts up again, we must continue to focus on real health and safety. History shows that accident rates rise in such periods, as new workers are taken on and industry works closer to its capacity. We don’t want these improvements to be lost in the economic recovery.”
As one of the UK’s leading health and safety training providers, First Response Training is concerned that workplace safety may have become less of a priority for firms during the economic downturn and subsequent recovery.
Managing Director, Perry Leeks, says: “In the first instance, properly trained personnel such as workplace first aiders, fire marshals and other safety representatives, may have fallen prey to job cuts with no one being trained to take their place. Many firms have made the decision to cull staff training programmes and, even as they recover and prospects improve, health and safety may have fallen down the list of priorities.
“This is a worry for employers and employees alike; as well as the risk to life, companies will fail to meet legal or insurance requirements and could face enforcement action or prosecution. Companies need to ensure that health and safety procedures remain in place. Regulatory bodies such as the HSE will continue to monitor safety standards and take action against firms who are putting their workers or the general public at risk, no matter what the economic situation. Health and safety will never be a redundant issue, as the statistics prove.”
First Response Training offers an extensive and diverse portfolio of health and safety training courses and can provide training through practical, blended or distance learning options. They have a wide range of e-learning training courses, which are a cost-effective alternative to practical training, and they will work with your organisation to tailor a package that best suits your requirements and budget.
For more information, please call First Response Training today on 0800 310 2300.
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