Employees jeapordise safety of fellow workers

Some 80% of employees in the UK's SMEs estimate that up to a quarter of accidents are not reported to line managers and is costing the UK economy over GBP 10bn each year.
Employees in manufacturing are putting colleagues at risk by not reporting accidents at work and exposing their employers to potential prosecution by failing to comply with health and safety legislation. City and Guilds, which has embarked on a drive to encourage good working practices within the manufacturing industry, found that 80% of employees in the UK's small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) estimate that up to a quarter of accidents are not reported to line managers. The severity of accidents varies, but one in twenty employees (5%) have witnessed an injury to the hand or finger - such as cutting or even losing a finger on a steel saw - while in the workplace.

The number of major injuries sustained while handling, lifting or carrying, has also increased by 12% in 2004/2005.

According to Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, minister for health and safety, poor health and safety management costs the UK economy over GBP 10bn/year.

In light of such figures, it is little wonder that 14% of workers are not entirely confident that their workplace is safe.

Lynne Oliver, Manufacturing and Working Practices specialist at City and Guilds, the UK's leading awarding body for work-related qualifications, commented: 'The survey shows that Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines are not always adhered to.

Safety is the collective responsibility of both employees and businesses and can have serious implications for all involved.' While many employers are taking their HSE duties seriously, nearly one in ten (9%) employers state that although health and safety is important to them, it is not a priority - despite the fact that a conviction could cost them their business.

The average fine for an HSE conviction in 2004-2005 was GBP 8,368 and nearly one third (29%) of employers stated that a fine of GBP 8,000 or more could seriously affect their ability to trade, or close the business.

Nearly half (47%) of employers are unaware of the forthcoming Corporate Manslaughter Bill which, if passed, will provide a more effective sanction for holding companies and other organisations responsible when gross negligence in senior management has had fatal consequences.

Businesses can face fines and prosecution even when an accident has not taken place.

Berkshire-based Bracknell Fireworks was fined GBP 28,000 by the HSE in March 2005 when inspectors found boxes of damaged fireworks were leaking explosive material, even though no accident occurred.

Two-thirds of manufacturing SMEs (69%) are already taking the initiative to prevent HSE breaches by offering training to their staff as part of the working day.

However, there is room for improvement, with almost one in five employees (17%) expressing a desire for health and safety guidance either in or out of office hours.

Oliver added: 'Many employers are unaware that they can be fined even in cases where an incident has not taken place.

In order to safeguard the wellbeing of employees and future of their business, manufacturing SMEs need to ensure that all employees keep abreast of HSE legislation and are vigilant in the workplace.

If employees and employers in the manufacturing industry get the training right and share good practice, the whole community in which they work stands to benefit.'