The number of accidents and injuries recorded by NASC members fell to an all-time low in 2017, with just 89 incidences occurring on-site throughout the year.

The figure was revealed in the NASC 2018 Safety Report, which documents and analyses accident and injury statistics for its full contracting members – representing more than 16,000 scaffolding operatives across the UK – in the previous calendar year.

For the fifth year running, the NASC is able to report a fatality-free year. The number of injuries and accidents in 2017 fell to a new low, continuing a decades-long general trend in ever-reducing incidences. This downward trend corresponds with long-standing efforts to improve health and safety and training in the scaffolding industry, one of the NASC’s core commitments.

The NASC Safety Report reveals there were just 17 major injuries recorded in 2017, down 37% from 27 in 2016, and 89 incidences in total, down from 96 in 2016.   

There was also a 46% reduction in falls from height and 36% reduction in manual handling injuries year-on-year. Additionally, no members of the public were injured around NASC member scaffolds in 2017.

Des Moore, CEO of TRAD Group and NASC President, said: “The 2018 Safety Report shows how workplace accidents can be reduced through compliance with industry safety standards and adherence to NASC guidance.

“It is very encouraging to see that the number of accidents recorded by NASC members fell to a record low in 2017, continuing a long-established downward trend dating back many decades that corresponds with a gradual rise of awareness and implementation of on-site health and safety practices, which continues to this day.

“It is particularly pleasing to look at how far our members have come in just the past five years, with the number of reported incidents having fallen 34 per cent from the 2012 figure (134 to 89) and the incidence and frequency rates both down by more than 40 per cent.  

“There is more work to be done, however. For the 13th consecutive year, slips, trips and falls on the same level was the most common cause of accident and injury – representing a third of all reported injuries. This type of incident can easily lead to serious injury or even fatality and as such is something we’ll continue to seek to address.”

Robin James, NASC Managing Director, added: “The NASC is committed to driving up safety standards in access and scaffolding, and firmly believes in the need for accountability and transparency, which is why we go to such lengths to compile and publish the Safety Report each year.

“The data validates our wider efforts to help our members maintain the highest possible standards, enabling them to keep their contracted operatives safe on construction sites across the UK.”

NASC full contracting members are required to submit a detailed accident return as a requirement of membership. The NASC Safety Report is compiled from this data and includes:

• Injuries and fatalities to operatives, third parties and members of the public
• Accident types
• Detailed analysis of accidents

For more information on the NASC 2018 Safety Report visit www.nasc.org.uk