HSC Report Shows Progress on Ill Health Improvement But More Needs to be Done
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the national statistics on work related injuries and ill health for 2004/2005. These figures show progress on occupational ill health and the number of RIDDOR reportable injuries. However, fatal and major injuries remain a concern.
Chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) Bill Callaghan said, “I am pleased to see the reduction in cases of occupational ill health and the continuing reduction in the rate of fatal and major injuries in the production industries, especially in construction, but the overall picture is mixed. I am concerned at the increase of reported major injuries within the service sector, which is one reason the midpoint target for fatal and major injuries has not been met. We are making progress in meeting the days lost target, but in spite of the improvement last year it would be complacent to think we had cracked the problem of health at work. Today’s figures suggest that our strategy is beginning to bear fruit but an even greater focus is needed.”
The full report can be viewed at: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh0405.pdf.
The headline figures in this year’s report are:
| • | there was a reduction of 7% in fatal injuries to workers in 2004/2005, 220 compared to 236 in the previous year. Half occurred in the two industries, of construction (71), and agriculture, forestry and fishing (42); |
| • | the number of reported major injuries to employees was down 2.2% to 30,213, on the previous year. Over a third of all reported major injuries were caused by slipping or tripping; and |
| • | the number of reported over-3-day injuries has fallen by 8% in 2004/2005 to 120,346 – 40% of which were caused by handling, lifting and carrying. |
An estimated two million people suffered ill health that they believed was caused by a work related activity. This represents a reduction from 2.2 million in 2001/2. Stress and musculoskeletal disorders account for around two-thirds of occupational ill health.
Since 2002 the number of working days lost has shown a statistically significant reduction to 1.5 days lost per worker in 2004/2005. The estimated number of working days lost in 2004/2005 was 35.4 million. Around 80% of this figure is due to work related ill health.
This year’s report represents the mid-point of the Health and Safety Commission’s (HSC’s) Revitalising Health and Safety targets. The targets were:
| • | to reduce fatal and major injuries by 5% by 2004/2005; |
| • | to reduce occupational ill health by 10% by 2004/2005; and |
| • | to reduce working days lost by 15% by 2004/2005. |
The 2004/2005 national statistics show that the target on fatal and major injuries has not been met, although there has been progress against these in the past year. Fatal injuries fell by 7% in 2004/2005 and major injuries fell by 2.2%, representing the first fall in major injuries since 2000/2001.
For work related ill health, the incidence has fallen for most major categories. Overall, the target of a 10% reduction has probably been achieved. Similarly, for working days lost, there has been a significant fall since the base period and this may have been large enough to meet the target of a 15% reduction.
Outlining the action needed Bill Callaghan said, “A combination of factors is needed. Strong inspection and enforcement are vital, and we have to redouble our efforts to support local authority colleagues and work in even greater partnership. Initiatives such as moving goods safely are vital.
Our role is far wider than that of an enforcer. As an enabler we have supported partnership working in construction, food, paper and board and quarrying. Obviously the commitment of the social partners is crucial whether at sector level, company level or the shop floor. Partnership working between employers and employees does produce results.”
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PENINSULA COMMENT
The report published by the HSE shows an encouraging trend in workplace health and safety. However, the report must be considered in the light of the number of un-reported and un-documentated accidents, incidents and absences due to work related ill-health. It is estimated that only 40% of workplace incidents are actually recorded and reported.
Major concerns still exist that many employers are failing to address core issues that are necessary to ensure that they are complying with:
• Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees); and • Section 3 (It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not exposed to risks to their health and safety). This is evidenced by the disproportionate number of incidents involving issues such as slips, trips and falls, working at height and manual handling activities.
Even relatively small incidents can have a disproportionate affect on both the persons involved and the company as a whole.
The main cause for concern is the lack of proactive management and control exercised by employers including their failure to properly identify the hazards in the work place (risk assessments) and establish proper control measures to remove or reduce the risk of harm occurring.
The services provided by Peninsula to its clients are intended to:
• provide them with the means of carrying out effective risk assessments; • enable them to introduce appropriate control measures; • ensure that there is proactive management of workplace health and safety; and • help to develop an effective health and safety culture throughout the workforce. Our Risk Assessments Manual incorporates the means whereby our clients can identify and evaluate those risks that have the potential to cause serious harm as well as those where, although the harm that can be caused is relatively minor, the frequency of occurrence is such that they need to be dealt with as “HIGH RISK” issues.