Members of the Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists (ATLAS) recorded lower fatal and major-injury rates last year than the construction industry as a whole.
The results of the 2011 ATLAS Accident Survey, which covered more than 1120 operatives, revealed that no fatalities were recorded by the organisation’s members for the third consecutive year – despite them operating in a sector of the construction industry where working at height is unavoidable.
One major injury was reported, categorised as a slip, trip or fall on the same level, at an incidence rate of 89.3 per 100,000 workers. This was lower than the rates for both the specialist contractors sector, at 168.8 per 100,000 workers, and the entire construction industry, at 173.2 per 100,000 workers. Frequency rates for all accidents, both reportable and non-reportable, improved to 42,091 working hours per accident.
Commenting on the results of the report, chair of the Association’s accident committee John Ashmore said: “During a recession, many businesses look to cut operating costs, which can lead to an increase in accidents on site, but ATLAS members have continued to prioritise health and safety in the workplace. As well as demonstrating that ATLAS members have an improving safety record, the results of this survey enable lessons to be learnt and shared among the membership, which reduces the likelihood of similar accidents happening again in future.”
ATLAS highlights a recent programme undertaken by its Safety & Access Committee to test ladders and modular scaffold frames, in order to determine the equipment’s safety limitations. The results of these tests will be available later this year.
