CBA report shows lost-time accidents at record low

The Chemical Business Association's (CBA) latest Responsible Care Indices of Performance Report for chemical distributors has revealed a record fall in accident levels.

Andrew Beck, chairman of the CBA Responsible Care Committee, said: 'We are pleased to be able to report a year-on-year fall in lost-time accidents of almost 40 per cent and a similar sharp fall in reportable accidents.

'This is the lowest figure ever recorded by CBA.

'It is an excellent performance and one that sets a benchmark for the future.

The CBA report covers data on a number of performance indicators supplied by 96 distributor member-companies employing a total of 4,067 people.

In 2008, these companies made more than one-million separate journeys and distributed 2.3 million tonnes of chemicals to UK customers (a fall of seven per cent in the annual tonnage distributed).

CBA distributor member-companies reported a total of 21 accidents in 2008 (2007 = 36), a fall of 42 per cent on the previous year.

These accidents are reported under the provisions of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Riddor).

Of these, three accidents resulted in serious injury (2007 = four) and 18 were reportable accidents of more than three days (2007 = 32).

A serious injury in this context is defined as one that requires emergency medical attention.

In 2008, 50 per cent of all accidents resulted from a manual-handling process or a slip, trip or fall.

Only three accidents involved exposure to a harmful substance.

The industry's lost time accident (LTA) rate was 0.27 (2007 = 0.44).

This is the lowest ever distributor figure recorded by CBA and represents a year-on-year fall of 39 per cent.

The number of transport incidents is a key measure of the performance of the chemical distributor industry.

In 2008, the number of incidents involving transport fell marginally to 15 (2007 = 16).

CBA's figures combine Riddor data with transport incidents at which the emergency services attended.

Incidents of this kind can include minor traffic accidents, mechanical breakdown or a simple puncture repair.

There were six incidents for every million tonnes of product distributed in 2008 - an identical figure to the previous year.

CBA member companies reported 7,119 tonnes of special/hazardous waste arising from their own activities.

More than 80 per cent of this total was reprocessed or disposed of with energy recovery, with a further 14 per cent going to landfill.

Three convictions were recorded against CBA members in 2008.

One arose from a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive for an offence under the Control of Major Hazard Regulations; the second arose from the prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive for an offence under the Management of Health and Safety at Work; the third arose from a prosecution by the Environment Agency under the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Regulations.

In 2008, there was also a significant decline in the number of prohibition notices issued against CBA members - falling to five (2007 = 12).

Back to top