Health & Safety
With our improved and consistent reporting processes now having been in place for more than 4 years it is possible to report some meaningful statistics and comparisons. Our reporting procedures ensure that every accident, including the most minor laceration or abrasion, is reported, hence the higher percentages recorded for our printing operations. It should, however, be noted that the vast majority of these are not reportable under RIDDOR requirements.
As can be seen in table 1, we continue to make progress across the Group in reducing the number of accidents. There has been a reduction in the number of employees involved in accidents in both our printing and publishing operations when compared to 2007 and overall the percentage of employees involved in accidents reduced to 5.0%. With improved categorisation of accident reporting in 2007, we know that 66% of the total number of accidents recorded relate to slips, trips, falls, manual handling and bumps. The increased focus on these categories from our Health & Safety Committees in 2008 through training and awareness programmes has shown a reduction of 16% from 2007. RIDDOR reportable accidents unfortunately increased but this has been attributed to a better understanding of the reporting requirements. As a number of these resulted in injuries associated with long term absences the working days lost increased when compared to 2007.
Whilst there was an increase in total working days lost in 2008, we are still operating well below the national average.
The Group also has a rolling programme of independent audit visits covering property and Health & Safety risks. These visits are targeted at the locations which have the highest risk profile along with a sample of other sites. Detailed reports and recommendations are produced after each visit which require follow-up and implementation by local management. This process is monitored by the Group Management Board.”
Table 1
Accident Reporting
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
| Average total employees in Group (FTE) | 7,124 | 7,664 | 7,849 |
Employees involved in accidents | 359 | 409 | 423 |
- Publishing | 3.9% | 3.8% | 4.5% |
- Printing | 14.4% | 17.8% | 18.6% |
- Total | 5.0% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
Employees with RIDDOR reportable accidents | 44 | 38 | 30 |
- Publishing | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.3% |
- Printing | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.9% |
- Total | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.4% |
Total working days lost through accidents | 1,197 | 718 | 538 |