|
REPORTABLE ACCIDENTS
Accident statistics are recorded and monitored as one of the measures of the company's health and safety management performance. They allow DML to identify trends in the type and causation of accidents so that appropriate action can be taken to prevent a reoccurrence.
 |
DML continues to record accident rates approximately half that of its industry sector. The number of reportable accidents at DML in 2005 showed a decrease when compared to 2004. Slips, trips and falls continued to be the main areas of concern, although there was a significant increase in people being struck by moving or falling objects. Work is ongoing to reduce these particular types of accident including the development of a formalised procedure aimed at ensuring effective management control of causation factors.
Refresher training for manual handling continued in 2005 with courses being tailored where necessary to local work activity. In response to the 'Work at Height Regulations', training was given in rescue techniques to those employees who work in exposed situations. Further training courses were developed for 'work aloft' with particular regard to radio frequency hazards.
DML reports specified accidents and incidents to the Health and Safety Executive in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).
Three classes of accident must be reported:
| • |
fatalities |
| |
| • |
specified major injuries
e.g. major fractures, amputations, asphyxiation, electrocution
and injuries resulting in hospitalisation for a significant
period |
| |
| |
| • |
other injuries resulting in absence
from work for more than three days |
In 2005, there were no fatal accidents to DML employees, but there were 15 classed as "specified major" which had to be reported immediately to the HSE:
| • |
a fitter was moving a wheeled toolbox when it started to topple away from him. He reached out to try to stop it and fractured his left hand |
| |
| • |
a welder stepped down from a 24-inch platform, slipped and fell back onto the platform, fracturing his right wrist |
| |
| • |
a fitter stepped into the path of a vehicle, which was exiting a building, sustaining fracture injuries to his right leg |
| |
| • |
a first line manager was moving an aluminium structure when his right hand became trapped, badly cutting his middle and index fingers |
| |
| • |
a rigger was observing a ship being berthed when a rope veered off a bollard striking the rigger on his right arm causing a fracture |
| |
| • |
a fitter was walking along uneven scaffolding when his right foot twisted over causing a fracture to his ankle |
| |
| • |
a plumber tripped over a lagging box and landed heavily on his left knee causing a fracture to his kneecap |
| |
| • |
an employee's left leg slipped off a step causing him to fall. He landed on his left arm causing bruising and two fractures to his left hand |
| |
| • |
a painter was coming through a watertight door when she lost her footing, slipped and fell causing a fracture to her left ankle |
| |
| • |
an employee was riding his motorbike when the front wheel of the bike caught in a train track. He was thrown from the bike, causing a fracture to his right collarbone |
| |
| • |
an electrical fitter was descending a stairway when his right foot slipped off the end of a stair tread causing him to twist his left ankle which resulted in a fracture to the ankle |
| |
| • |
a health physics monitor was trying to alter the temperature on a radiator when the valve came off causing scalding to both hands |
| |
| • |
a joiner was walking through a doorway when the wind caught the door and slammed it back onto his right hand causing a fracture |
| |
| • |
a coppersmith was descending a ladder whilst carrying a 6mm wire template when he slipped and fell off the ladder hitting his forehead and right arm on the metal stanchion around the hatch |
| |
| • |
an employee was cycling over a bridge when he lost control of his cycle causing him to fall off and sustain a fractured left clavicle |
In addition, there were 93 accidents resulting in more than 3 days absence from work, reportable to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Dangerous Occurrences
There were two RIDDOR reportable dangerous occurrences during 2005. At DML's Appledore shipyard, a contractor working on an electrical cabinet caused a short across two conductors. At Devonport, a shipwright cut into a concealed cable whilst undertaking constructive work on the reactor access house in 9 Dock.
2006 Target
Although DML's reportable accident performance in 2005 was the third best on record, the Chief Executive has set a tough target for improvement in 2006, with the objective of re-establishing DML as industry leader on this performance measure.
A team of directors and senior managers has been formed with the objective of cutting the rate by a further 25%. Five key principles will underpin the drive to achieve this target:
| • |
the establishment of clear safety standards for personal behaviour |
| |
| • |
the effective communication of these standards to all employees |
| |
| • |
fair and consistent enforcement of personal standards and the creation of a "zero tolerance" culture to non-compliance |
| |
| • |
promotion of an environment in which every employee is able to contribute to safety improvement and is recognised for doing do |
| |
| • |
recognition and reward for good performance |
Road Safety
Road transport accidents remain one of the highest causes of fatal accidents in the workplace, and transport safety is a key priority in the HSE "Revitalising Safety" initiative. Through 2006 DML is committed to reviewing its arrangements for controlling this area of risk and introducing the latest HSE guidance.
|
