Rise in deaths mars fourth annual fall in injuries

摘要

The number of deaths in the extractive industries across the UK more than trebled over the year to 2004, according to newly published figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Jumping from three deaths during the 2002-2003 period to 10 over the year to 2004, the findings tarnish figures otherwise showing the industry's drive to improve worker safety is working. Five of the deaths were from either opencast coal mining or quarrying - compared to just one the previous year - with the remaining five coming from utilities extraction. Although the annual figures are open to fluctuation because of the small numbers involved, they are still above the national average, says the HSE. Along with the disappointing news about fatalities, a positive note was that the number of reported major injuries in the industry saw another annual fall, the fourth consecutive yearly drop. Since 2000, the number of reported major incidents has fallen from 267 for every 100,000 workers to 216. According to the HSE's inspector of quarries, Rob Pearce, the industry is now just 2 percent short of meeting its 50 percent reduction in major injuries by 2005 target.