16 | AUGUST 2017
News
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
AVOIDING WORKPLACE FATALITIES
According to statistics released by the Health & Safety Executive, there were 137 workers killed at work
in the UK in 2016/17. These statistics are based on a wide variety of industries, such as manufacturing,
construction, agriculture, waste, transport and storage, and the wholesale and retail trade.
training, as well as having the
correct number of first aiders and
fire marshals onsite at all times.
Furthermore, there are regular
checks employers can do to help
prevent harm to their employees.
For example, ensuring workers
have the correct PPE at all times
and posting proper signage as a
reminder of safety procedures in
specific places is beneficial.
Despite workplace fatali-
ties being on a constant decline
in numbers over the past 30
years, due to overall health and
safety regulations being im-
proved across all sectors, the
statistics highlight the fact that
there are still improvements to
be made. With 137 workers be-
ing killed in the UK in one year,
this means there is approximate-
ly one workplace fatality every
2.5 days.
The statistics released by the
HSE found that:
• 72% of the workplace fatali-
ties in 2016/17 were people
aged between 16 and 59
• 23% of the fatalities were
due to people being struck
by a moving vehicle
• 18% of the fatalities were
due to people falling from a
height
• 15% of the fatalities were
due to people being struck
by a moving object.
‘ it is more than ticking it off a list ’
Other causes of workplace
fatalities in the UK during 2016/17
include contact with moving
machinery, contact with electricity,
or being trapped by something
collapsing or overturning.
Gary Ellis from CE Safety be-
lieves there are a variety of steps
to follow in order to avoid harm to
employees on a day-to-day basis:
“Employers and employees need
to prioritise health and safety
regulations daily, as a general
part of their job responsibilities.
Certain industries are more prone
to accidents, injuries and fatali-
ties, and high-risk sectors such as
construction, manufacturing and
agriculture must understand that
health and safety at work is more
than just being legally compliant.
“The safety of workers can
be improved by simple steps,
such as regular health and safety
The main thing is for employers
to ensure that health and safety
training, first aid training and fire
safety training are all completed
by employees in order to keep
them as safe as possible; it is more
than ticking it off a list in order to
be legally compliant. By ensuring
regular training is completed and
knowing when expiry dates on
health and safety course are due
for renewal will help to prevent
illnesses, injuries and workplace
fatalities in the long run.”
NEW PANEL WILL MEAN ‘SWIFTER RESPONSE’ TO EMERGENCIES
Following the Grenfell fire tragedy and several terror attacks
in London and Manchester, the Glass and Glazing Federation
(GGF) has formed a new Government Advisory Panel (GAP)
that will be part of the GGF’s Political Strategy Committee.
Forming this new panel
will allow the GGF to
co-ordinate its internal
resource and members’
opinions to enable swifter
and more focused - but
fully considered - respons-
es to emergency situations.
It is anticipated the panel
will be particularly effective
when government (local
and national) may require
expert advice on the many
products, services and
sectors covered by the GGF
membership.
Phil Pluck, GGF chief
executive, said: “It is im-
portant that the GGF offers
government solutions and
support when incidents
concerning glass and glaz-
ing occur. The new Govern-
ment Advisory Panel will
help the GGF pull together
its internal resources and
members’ expertise more
effectively and efficiently.”
The GGF Government Ad-
visory Panel aims to provide
the federation with a fluid
group of advisers made up
from nominated experts
The new Government Advisory
‘ Panel
will help the GGF pull
together its internal resources
and members’ expertise more
effectively and efficiently
’
from the GGF’s specialist
groups. It will allow all the
relevant parties and sectors
to be considered and come
together as one unified
voice for the industry.
The GGF is now in con-
tact with all the chairs of
its specialist groups within
the GGF membership
and will ask each group
to nominate two experts
to represent their group.
The pool of experts will
then be called on for their
opinions and advice when
any emergency situations
occur.
The GGF will be pro-
moting the new Gov-
ernment Advisory Panel
and its progress to all
government departments,
all local councils and to
the trade and mainstream
media.