HSE/EM1110
From the BBC to B&Q, from British Airways to British Waterways, from Harrods to Harry''s Corner Shop, thousands of British businesses are today set to take part in the biggest workplace safety event of the year - the European Week for Safety and Health.
This year''s focus is on workplace accident prevention and demand for campaign packs issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has topped a record breaking 100,000 requests. More than 500 businesses and organizations in the East Midlands have requested more information.
Businesses of every size and sector have planned extensive campaigns designed to make the workplace a safer environment. Also taking part are hundreds of local councils and schools, as well as hospitals, airports and trade unions.
Schoolchildren in Leicester, Oadby and Wigston have been invited to take part in a health and safety quiz organized by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. It will involve all four and five year-olds at 85 primary and infant schools in Leicester, Oadby and Wigston.
Dr Alan Whitehead, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for health and safety, said, "The Government is committed to achieving significant improvements in workplace health and safety and whilst a good start has been made, there is still much to do.
I am keen that government departments lead by example and are stepping up their efforts in this area. I am pleased that HSE is taking the opportunity during this important week to restate its own health and safety policy statement."
Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission said:
"The Week is very much an integral part of HSE''s revitalising campaign programme which aims to deliver a marked reduction in fatal accidents, major injuries and ill health incidents by the year 2010. I am encouraged to hear that so many people have sent for action packs and I look forward to hearing about their campaigns. This initiative is a good opportunity for organisations to put health and safety where it should be all year round - at the top of its agenda."
Provisional statistics for the year 2000/1 indicate an increase of 34 per cent in fatalities among Britain''s workers, with 295 deaths compared to 220 in 1999/2000. This represents an increase in the rate of fatal injuries from 0.8 to 1.1 per 100,000 workers. The figures show that of the 295 fatalities, 106 occurred in the construction industry and 46 in agriculture. In terms of fatality, 73 deaths were caused by falls from heights, 64 from moving vehicles, 52 from falling and moving objects, and 37 by objects collapsing or overturning.
Support for the Week has grown dramatically since it started in 1996. Independent research following last year''s event revealed that the UK leads the way when it comes to this annual initiative. A report by Yellow Windows for the European Agency for Safety and Health, said: "We estimate that more than half of the total impact of the Week in terms of awareness raising was in the UK and less than half in the rest of the EU."
Examples of some of the thousands of planned activities include: a week long safety campaign at Manchester''s Trafford Centre aimed at children, customers and employees; a major health and safety conference and exhibition in Northern Ireland; schoolchildren in the Leicester area to take part in a yes/no safety quiz; the British Safety Council is running courses throughout the period; UNISON''s safety representatives to carry out a National Inspection Day during the Week, and the Musicians'' Union will be inspecting orchestral pits. HSE is involved in a number of events including a conference on safer working in the construction industry. This is part of the Safety, Health and Environment Solutions event at London''s ExCel Docklands centre from 16-18 October.
Notes to Editors: 1. During 2000/1 the provisional number of reported non-fatal major injuries to workers has fallen by 4.7 per cent from 29,315 to 27,935 - with the employee rate falling by 5.4 per cent to 110.3 per 100,000 employees. The provisional number of reported over-three day injuries to workers has fallen by 1.7 per cent from 136,113 to 133,813 - with the employee rate falling by 2.4 per cent to 537.8 per 100,000 employees. 2. Provisional figures showing injuries reported to HSE for 2000/01 and 1999/2000 are as follows:
2000/01 County Industry Sector Fatal injuries Major injuries Over 3 day injuries All injuries DERBYSHIRE Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 1 7 14 22
Construction 1 64 164 229
Extractive & utility supply industries 1 8 62 71
Manufacturing industries 0 202 956 1158
Service industries 1 462 830 1293
Total 4 743 2026 2773 LEICESTERSHIRE Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 1 12 19 32
Construction 3 54 107 164
Extractive & utility supply industries 0 9 29 38
Manufacturing industries 2 139 845 986
Service industries 0 542 798 1340
Total 6 756 1798 2560 LINCOLNSHIRE Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 2 38 74 114
Construction 0 33 88 121
Extractive & utility supply industries 0 5 6 11
Manufacturing industries 1 131 843 975
Service industries 3 244 491 738
Total 6 451 1502 1959 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 0 10 22 32
Construction 0 46 71 117
Extractive & utility supply industries 0 2 4 6
Manufacturing industries 1 119 758 878
Service industries 1 272 613 886
Total 2 449 1468 1919 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 2 12 36 50
Construction 3 80 199 282
Extractive & utility supply industries 0 4 27 31
Manufacturing industries 1 170 808 979
Service industries 3 481 1096 1580
Total 9 747 2166 2922
1999/2000 County Industry Sector Fatal injuries Major injuries Over 3 day injuries All injuries DERBYSHIRE Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 3 6 8 17
Construction 4 70 163 237
Extractive & utility supply industries 0 21 57 78
Manufacturing industries 0 217 990 1207
Service industries 2 487 858 1347
Total 9 801 2076 2886 LEICESTERSHIRE Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 0 15 19 34
Construction 1 51 99 151
Extractive & utility supply industries 1 8 37 46
Manufacturing industries 1 166 823 990
Service industries 1 1084 752 1837
Total 4 1324 1730 3058 LINCOLNSHIRE Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 0 36 86 122
Construction 0 46 84 130
Extractive & utility supply industries 0 8 33 41
Manufacturing industries 0 123 820 943
Service industries 1 227 464 692
Total 1 440 1487 1928 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 0 16 21 37
Construction 0 32 80 112
Manufacturing industries 0 115 727 842
Service industries 1 498 508 1007
Total 1 661 1336 1998 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 0 7 15 22
Construction 0 84 213 297
Extractive & utility supply industries 0 6 23 29
Manufacturing industries 0 163 770 933
Service industries 1 416 984 1401
Total 1 676 2005 2682
