HSE warns offshore industry to reduce workplace accidents
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has urged the offshore industry to make further investments to protect the growing number of workers and to meet its future safety goals.
HSE safety statistics for the offshore industry for 2006/07 recently published show that two workers were killed and 39 suffered major injuries. This compares to two fatalities and 50 major injuries in 2005/06. The combined fatal and major injury rate decreased.
However the increased number of major and significant hydrocarbon releases went up and that is of particular concern.
The main causes of the major and fatal injuries were slips, trips and falls, being trapped, struck by or striking against equipment, or injuries associated with lifts, pulls, pushes or swinging loads. These accounted to 83% accidents.
The HSE's Chief Executive said, "This year's figures for major injuries show a significant improvement and are at the lowest level for ten years despite the very significant increase in the number of those working offshore, which is welcomed. But we must not forget that despite this, two people died and 39 were seriously injured which is unacceptable. It is disappointing that the rate of less serious injuries involving three or more days off work has improved little since 2003 and this year increased by 7%."
The HSE gave a warning that inspectors will continue to be tough on poor performers and focus on the fundamental safety issues offshore which are plant integrity, systems of work, supervision, risk assessment and competence.
The UK offshore industry faces considerable challenges if it intends to achieve its aim of being the safest offshore sector in the world by 2010 and need to make significant improvements in accident performance to achieve this.
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