The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has reported another fatality-free year in its highly regarded 2017 Safety Report.
The good news is, despite a 14 per cent rise in the number of NASC member operatives over the period, the incident rate has been halved to what it was five years ago. The report also reveals the lowest incidence and frequency rates recorded by NASC full contracting member companies, showing a 16 per cent decrease in the frequency of manual handling injuries.
Additionally, no members of the public were injured around NASC member scaffolds. NASC full contracting members are required to submit a completed annual accident return as a requirement of membership, and the NASC Safety Report is based on data generated by this exercise. The 24-page report features, Injuries and fatalities to operatives, members of the public and third parties, accident causes and types, a detailed analysis of accidents, comparison of the HSE/NASC accident statistics and what the NASC does to support safe scaffolding practice. NASC President, Alan Lilley said:
“Once again, the NASC Annual Safety Report has highlighted how successful our members are at reducing accidents through compliance with industry safety standards and adherence to NASC guidance.
No doubt, the release of SG4:15 ‘Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations’ was a major factor in achieving this reduction in accidents. And the fact that there’s been a marked reduction in the number of accidents – despite a record-level of NASC membership, shows what we do for our members in producing quality safety and technical guidance.”
The news isn’t all good however, as slips, trips and falls were the major cause of accident and injury – representing a third of all reported injuries, for the 12th year running. NASC Managing Director, Robin James added:
“The Annual Safety Report clearly highlights what we are doing to drive up safety standards in access and scaffolding, with reliable data to back it up. NASC members are strictly audited to maintain the highest possible standards, helping to keep their contracted operatives safe on construction sites right across the UK.”
The NASC 2017 Safety Report will be officially launched at the ‘Health & Safety Scotland’ Event industry trade show held at Glasgow SEC, May 3-4. The report is also being circulated with Construction News Work at Height issue on June 9th and Construction National Spring issues, with a digital reader/PDF version available here.