Kevin Rowan column

Aug 1 2005 By Kevin Rowan, The Journal

Everyone will welcome the number of reported work-related deaths for 2003-4 being down on previous years. But 12 deaths is still far too high - especially when a report by the Health and Safety Executive says they were avoidable.

Fatalities rarely tell much of the story of workplace safety and health in the region. In the year reported, there were 1,433 major injuries, significantly higher than in previous years - and 6,260 injuries leading to over three days' absence, only a slight downward trend.

There are over 7,500 workers and their families who have been badly affected by ill-health and poor safety in the workplace.

Some families have suffered a death, many will be coping with permanent disablement and a dramatic lifestyle change as a result, and none of this can appear in the figures. We are increasingly concerned about the impact on business costs, too.

The largest proportion of injuries was in the growing services sector, but it was construction and manufacturing that were the most dangerous occupations in the region. The North-East endures much higher per capita rates of occurrence of both fatal and major injuries - 144 per 100,000 employees compared to 120 per 100,000 nationally - and for over-three-day injuries, 623 to 498 per 100,000 workers.

These rates of reportable injuries are only topped by Wales, which is a real concern for the North-East.

In addition to accidents, 139,000 people in the region reported that they were made ill, or more ill, by their work and self-reported ill-health was 7,400 per 100,000.

This is again a rate that is significantly higher than the national average of 5,200, higher than in any other region, and also significantly higher than in previous years in this region.

The evidence is clear - workplace ill-health is a major challenge for the North-East. Employers, employees and agencies all have a role in tackling this problem.

Employers need to make much more effort to manage safety at work. This is always more effective if workers are engaged and participate in making the workplace safer.

Evidence shows that union safety representative involvement can halve the number of accidents.

The public sector can help by increasing the capacity and availability of occupational health and safety advice and support.

All parties agree this is an area where there is a weakness in the system - and addressing it would have a positive impact.