Health and Safety Executive Statistics for 2014-2015
The HSE has published the annual statistics for fatal accidents in the UK.
- The figure of 142 worker deaths in 2014/15 is 9% lower than the average for the past five years (156). The latest rate of fatal injury of 0.46 compares to the five-year average rate of 0.53.
- The finalised figure for 2013/14 is 136 worker fatalities, and corresponds to a rate of 0.45 deaths per 100,000 workers.
- Over the latest 20-year time period there has been a downward trend in the rate of fatal injury, although more recently (since 2008/09) the trend is less clear.
- There were 102 members of the public fatally injured in accidents connected to work in 2014/15 (excluding railways-related incidents).
Full figures on the HSE Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/pdf/fatalinjuries.pdf
The UK performance in fatality accidents over the last 41 years since the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 came into force has been on a downward trend. In the early 1900's fatality rates with a much smaller population was around 1,000 per year.
By 1974 this had only dropped to 651 per year, also in 1974 total UK deaths from Asbestos related illnesses was 317.
The latest figures for Asbestos related deaths are over 4,000 per year, if you add Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Asbestos Related lung cancers together.
The total number of deaths for work related lung disease is still estimated by the HSE at 13,000 per year.
The performance improvements of the UK from work related ill health issues, still lags far behind the improvements made on work related safety issues since the 1974 Act came into force.
Partly due to our poor performance in work related ill health, pressure from department of work and pensions and patient pressure groups, the HSE are being encouraged to focus as closely on work related health issues, as they do on work related safety issues. This new focus has led to harsher enforcement action and higher penalties. The fines imposed for Asbestos related non-compliance, for instance, has significantly increased in the last few years.
The highest fatality industry is Agriculture at 33, which is 9.12 per hundred thousand workers around 20 times the national average of 0.46 per hundred thousand.
The waste and recycling industry performed very poorly again with 5 fatalities a rate of 4.31 per 100,00 workers.
Construction Industry fatalities last year were 33, which equates to 1.62 per 100,000 workers, 22% lower than last year.
UK Health and Safety performance is now the best in Europe. This is due to other countries performance getting worse though, rather than our performance improving.
Netherlands and Slovakia had previously had better performances than ourselves but they have worsened since the last statistics were published.
Flammable Atmospheres and DSEAR 2002:
Flammable atmospheres can be present in any premises for example if there is a gas leak in your home a flammable atmosphere may build up to a level in which it can become explosive. Switching on or off electrical items in a normal house generates a spark inside the switch. This type of standard equipment is spark producing.
Intrinsically safe electrical fittings often called ATEX rated, do not produce sparks or the spark producing area is enclosed in a gas tight enclosure.
The Dangerous Substances, Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) 2002 explain to companies when ATEX rated electrical equipment is required to reduce the risk of an explosive atmosphere, causing an explosion. There are two main types of equipment which are designed for either flammable gases or a flammable dust.
A DSEAR Risk Assessment can help to identify, if done properly, where the risks are of an explosive atmosphere being formed and what safeguards can be introduced to reduce the risks to an acceptable level.
Flour dust, custard powder, coal dust, chemical powders can all cause a flammable dust atmosphere to build up. Zone 20, 21 and 22 Atex rated equipment may be required if a flammable dust atmosphere may be generated.
Petroleum based solvents, propane/ butane and natural gases can form an explosive atmosphere. Also gases such as Oxygen can increase flammability of other combustible materials causing an explosive atmosphere. Zone 0, 1 and 2 Atex rated equipment may be required in a flammable gas atmosphere.
Static electricity build up can cause a discharge or spark, which can ignite a flammable atmosphere. Any area or equipment in which a static charge could build up should usually have a properly constructed electrical earth.
Wood Mill Explosion:
The Bosley Mill Explosion (picture above) has yet again bought the issue of workplace safety into the limelight. The site in Bosley near Macclesfield suffered a devastating explosion.
Employees: Will Barks, Derek Moore, Jason Shingler and Dorothy Bailey were killed in the explosion (Pictured Left).
The findings of the investigation into the cause of the explosion have not been published yet. It is very likely that the activities taking place in the building caused an explosive dust atmosphere to build up inside the wood processing room. Any dust which is made up of combustible materials can develop into an explosive atmosphere, if not appropriately controlled. If this explosive atmosphere comes into contact with an ignition source, such as a standard electrical light switch, naked flame or motor, this can ignite the atmosphere causing an explosion.
Extraction systems, which are properly constructed and well maintained in wood processing buildings will reduce the levels of dust in the atmosphere.
Extraction systems used for removal of flammable gases/ dusts must also have fire dampers and explosion relief panels fitted to prevent fire from spreading inside the ducting. This is because a flammable/ explosive atmosphere can also build up inside the extraction system.
A DSEAR risk assessment can help identify when ATEX rated/ intrinsically safe equipment is needed in buildings where wood dust levels are not possible to control appropriately.
Numerous examples of similar dust explosions over the years have caused similar devastation.
A famous brand "Birds Dream Custard" had a dust explosion in their custard powder factory in Banbury, Oxfordshire. (Picture Below)
It has been reported in the press recently that the company had been warned of a the risk of a wood dust explosion two years before by a health and safety enforcement officer.
If this is true and the company did nothing to prevent such an occurrence then a senior manager or company director is highly likely to be given a custodial sentence.