E005p:07 20 February 2007

Paper industry improves health and safety performance

The Health and Safety Commission’s, Paper and Board Industry Advisory Committee (PABIAC), welcome the evident improvement in health and safety performance in the paper industry. Statistics provided by the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) display a downward trend in the workplace accident rate and significant reductions in major injuries.

PABIAC Chair and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Head of Manufacturing Sector, James Barrett, said:

"It is very encouraging to see the positive affect the PABIAC strategy has had on health and safety standards in the paper industry. By continuing our partnership approach between employer’s, trade unions and HSE, we are confident that there will be further reductions in the rate of accidents across the industry”.

Director General of the CPI and PABIAC member Martin Oldman said:

"The papermaking industry has been working diligently over a number of years to significantly improve its health and safety performance and, whilst more can be done, we are heartened by these results and anticipate further progress throughout the industry”.

Since March 2004, members of the CPI Paper and tissue making sector have seen a 33% reduction in accidents in their businesses. The amount of major injuries has been reduced by 32% and the number of slips and trips is down by 30%. There has also been a 17% improvement in the number of manual handling accidents.

CPI Corrugated sector members have successfully reduced their accident rate by 48%. In the key areas of manufacturing and manual handling accidents have been reduced by 53% and 48% respectively.

CPI Recovered Paper Sector, who only recently signed up to the PABIAC strategy have already seen a fall of 25% in major industries between December 2004 and August 2006.

Notes to editors

• PABIAC advises the HSC on the protection of people at work and others, from hazards to health and safety arising within the paper and board industry. Further information can be found on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/iacs/pabiac/index.htm
• In April 2005 PABIAC launched its strategic direction statement ‘Making a Difference’, which includes strategic health and safety targets for the paper sector. This document can be accessed on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/paper/programme.htm
• PABIAC meetings are normally held three times a year in February, July and November.

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