Offshore injuries falling, HSE figures show
December 17th 20:52 Health and Safety
Facilities management may have helped companies bring down the amount of injuries and deaths that occurred on offshore sites during 2008-09.
Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) showed that a total of 30 major injuries were reported during the 12 months from April 2008 and March 2009, a decline of 14 from the previous year.
There were no deaths among offshore personnel during the period - the second year in a row that this has been achieved - and the combined fatal and major injury rate per 100,000 workers was reduced from 156 in 2007-08 to 106 in 2008-09.
Head of offshore at the HSE Steve Walker welcomed the data but warned against complacency.
"Though these figures suggest the sector is getting safer … they cannot be taken in isolation," he said, noting that 17 workers were killed in April 2009 as a result of air transport and maritime incidents that are not regulated by the body.
The HSE operates a dedicated Offshore Division, which aims to regulate the oil and gas injury and protect the health of those working on facilities such as oil rigs.
