Falkirk Wheel turns in support of national safety campaign

Date:

9 March 2010

Release No:

SCO/127/10

British Waterways Scotland is backing a national campaign by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to make people aware of the potentially devastating consequences of slips, trips and falls in the workplace.

A mechanical and electrical engineer visually inspects the hydraulics of the central spindle of the Falkirk Wheel

One of Scotland's top visitor attractions, 35 metre high Falkirk Wheel - the world's first and only rotating boat lift which is just coming to the end of its month-long annual maintenance programme where safety is key.

David Lamont, Head of Operations, British Waterways Scotland said:

"The safety of our staff, contractors and visitors is of paramount importance so we're delighted to work with HSE and support the Shattered Lives campaign.

"The Falkirk Wheel connects the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal handling as many as 2,000 boat movements each year including boat trips for visitors. Each of the two gondolas weighs 300 tonnes and the structure itself features around 15,000 bolts all hand tightened. Altogether, the stresses on the structure and the central spine are immense so it is vitally important that we maintain The Falkirk Wheel to a very high standard and ensure the safety of our workforce whilst they carry out this important work."

Five people died and over 4000 accidents occurred in Scotland in 2008/09 as a result of slips, trips and falls in the workplace. Of those 1400 were major accidents while the other 2700 involved people being off work for at least three days.

HSE estimates that the combined financial costs incurred by society as a whole from preventable slips, trips and falls around £800 million a year,

Mechanical and electrical engineers inspect the inside of the central spindle of the Falkirk Wheel

The 'Shattered Lives' campaign aims to reduce the incidence of slips, trips and falls from height by showing employers and employees how easily they can happen and that simple, often cost effective measures can help reduce them.

Isabelle Martin, HM Inspector of Health and Safety, Construction Division said:

"It's great that British Waterways Scotland is backing the campaign and takes responsible steps to control the potential for slips, trips and falls to happen in their unique workplace environment.

"Slips, trips and falls might sound comical, even trivial, but they shatter the lives of thousands of British workers ever year.

"Making improvements doesn't need to cost the earth and we are encouraging people to visit the Shattered Lives website, where they will be able to get simple and cost effective solutions to help manage slips, trips and falls hazards in their workplace."

On the new Shattered Lives website, people will be able to find out information on how they can easily, and cost effectively, reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls in the workplace, and see what other organisations, such as Sainsbury's and First Line Digital, have done. Included on the site are the online tool (STEP) and a work at height access equipment toolkit (WAIT). Advice ranges from how to deal with spills and other slip risks, to how to select the most suitable equipment for working safely at height.

Notes to editors

1. Further photographs are available from Katy Jeffrey at COI News and PR Scotland
2. For further information about slips, trips and falls and the Shattered Lives campaign visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives
3. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It works to prevent death, injury and ill-health to those at work and those affected by work activities. For more information about the work of HSE, visit www.hse.gov.uk
4. LG Regulation (formerly LACORS) (the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services), as part of the LGA Group, supports the HSE's Shattered Lives campaign because we represent local council health and safety officers who regulate health and safety in certain sectors. Local councils will be promoting Shattered Lives with businesses in their area to reduce slip and trip accidents
5. Reportable major injuries include fractures, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes; amputations; dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine; loss of sight (temporary or permanent); chemical or hot metal burn to the eye or any penetrating injury to the eye; injury resulting from an electric shock or electrical burn leading to unconsciousness, or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours; any other injury: leading to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or unconsciousness; or requiring resuscitation; or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours; and unconsciousness caused by asphyxia or exposure to harmful substance or biological agent.
6. For more information about The Falkirk Wheel visit http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk or for more information about Scotland's 137 mile long canal network, visit www.scottishcanals.co.uk
7. Figures by local authority:

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Issued by COI News and PR Scotland