Fewer people in manufacturing are
dying or being injured by their work,
according to the latest figures by the
HSE. In Britain, between April 2009
and March 2010, the number of
reported major injuries, such as
amputations or broken bones fell by
11% from 4331 to 3863. During the
same period, reported injuries that
kept workers away from work for
three or more days fell by 16% from
17,460 to 14,678.

A total of 22 people died in
manufacturing during 2009/10,
compared to an average of 33 in the
past five years and seven fewer than in
2008/09. However, 158 employees per
100,000 suffer a major injury or are
killed as a result of manufacturing
work – 50% more than the industry
average of 102 per 100,000.

Geoff Cox, Head of Manufacturing
for HSE, said: “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.”