Statistics announced by the HSE show good progress throughout the construction industry in its drive to reduce the rate of fatal and major injuries but it is yet to meet 2001 Construction Summit targets.

The latest figures to be released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that the rate of reported fatal accidents and major injuries in construction between 1999/2000 and 2004/05 has fallen by around 24%.

When comparing over-three-day injuries there has been a reduction of 15% across all industries in the same time period, while in construction the rate has dropped by 35%. Evidence also suggests that the targets set to reduce work-related ill health by 10% from 1999/2000, and days lost by 15% from 2000/2002, are also being achieved.

Chief inspector of construction, Stephen Williams, said: “My congratulations go out to the construction industry on the progress it has made so far. I am pleased to see the encouraging signs that it has taken ownership of its health and safety performance and worked hard to achieve the lowest incident rate ever for fatal and over-three-day injuries.

“It is on target to exceed the all-industry Revitalising targets set in 2000. However, it is yet to meet its own challenging targets set at the 2001 Construction Summit. Difficult challenges still face the industry and it must continue to show leadership in taking further action to drive through the cultural and behavioural changes needed for improvement.

“Falls from height are still a major concern, accounting for almost 40% of the 71 workers who were killed in 2004/05. Each death is one too many and simple measures could have prevented them.”

The HSE has issued warnings regarding the dangers of mobile elevated working platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers. Due to common features in a number of incidents, HSE head of operations in Yorkshire and the North East, Geoff Cox, warns operators of MEWPs to be aware of getting trapped against an overhead or adjacent object that prevents the controls from being released. While, when working on sites where telehandlers need to be reversed, or where there is poor visibility or pedestrian segregation, there is a serious risk of people walking around the side of the plant and being struck.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor