Community: The Union for Life

 

UK wire industry beats first year target for reducing accidents

 

The UK Steel Live Wire Accident Reduction Campaign, launched in July 2006, has surpassed its target of a 10% reduction in accidents by a significant margin. Overall accidents reduced in 2007 by over 17% and RIDDORs (over three day accidents) by nearly 15%, with five sites reducing accidents by a stunning 30%.

 

Nine wire producing companies signed up to the campaign, which has included quarterly events, monthly training workshops, publishing a league table of statistics and sharing best practice. The campaign has been run with support from Community, Unite the Union – T & G Section and HSE. Particular emphasis has been placed on involving employees at every level, from directors to shop floor operatives.

 

Trade Union reps at the Livewire Awards

At a ceremony in Scunthorpe today to celebrate the first year’s achievements, two awards were given. The Live Wire Award for Accident Reduction, for the company which reduced accidents in 2007 by the biggest margin compared to a base line of the 2005/2006 average was awarded to G John Power who achieved a reduction of over 60% in their accident rate. The award was presented by Geoff Cox, Head of Operations of HSE Yorkshire and Humberside.

 

The second award, the Live Wire Health and Safety Award sponsored by Corus Wire Rod, was for employees who had come up with an innovative idea, initiative or way of working which had contributed to accident reduction at their company. 16 entries were received and a prize of £1,000 was awarded by Peter Hogg, Director Corus Wire Rod Business to David Goodall, Darren Hanson, Noel Kemp, Neil Frier and Ian Holroyd of Cold Drawn Products for their initiative entitled Magnetic roll lifting and positioning

device. Runners-up were, in 2nd place a team from G John Power, 3rd place a team from Caparo Wire – Fairbright Works, 4th place a second commendation for G John Power and 5th place a team from Bridon Doncaster.

 

Rob Sneddon of Community said ‘We are absolutely delighted with the response from the local Trade Union reps. The reduction in accidents(30% on five sites) adds further credence to the figures that workers are 50% less likely to have an accident in a workplace where there is a recognized Trade Union. I would just like to congratulate everyone for taking part in this initiative, which is the first step in making the industry a safer place to work.’

 

Commenting on the event Geoff Cox, Head of Operations, Yorks and North East said “I am really encouraged by the wire industry's willingness to tackle the significant causes of accidents in their industry in this co-operative and innovative fashion, and even more encouraged by the success achieved in reducing their accident rates after only one year. The involvement of their workforce in the initiative has been key in driving it forward. I look forward to further improvements from the second year of the initiative”.

 

The Live Wire campaign will continue into 2008, building on the first year’s success.