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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today 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 published today 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 by 35 per cent to 145.51 per 100,000 workers compared with 225.4 in 2005/06.
Responding to the statistics, Geoffrey Podger, HSE 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%.”
This year alone the industry has seen a 22.12% increase in the number of offshore workers, according to an industry based database.
Mr Podger continued: “HSE inspectors will continue to be tough on poor performances and focus on the fundamental safety issues offshore which are plant, systems of work, supervision, risk assessment and competence. Poor safety record is just not acceptable and our inspectors will tackle it at every level in the workforce.
“Statistics suggest that the number of dangerous occurrences, many of which have the potential to develop into more serious incidents, have continued to reduce. However the number of major and significant hydrocarbon releases, one key indicator as to how major hazard risks are being managed, went up and that is of particular concern.”
He concluded: “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.”
(JM)
