Executive Health and Safety

Identifying the incidence of electricity-related accidents in Great Britain

Prepared by BOMEL Limited for the Health and Safety Executive 2010

RR771 Research Report

Executive Health and Safety

Identifying the incidence of electricity-related accidents in Great Britain

BOMEL Limited Ledger House Forest Green Road Fifield Maidenhead Berks SL6 2NR

This report describes a pan-industry study into the risks associated with electricity-related accidents. This report forms a preliminary evidence base.

A data set has been built containing accidents involving people working with or around electricity. This set contains 57,000 accidents reported under RIDDOR between 1996/97 and 2002/03. This data has been incorporated into the Electricity RIDDOR Report Tool, and is used to provide an insight into the key risks where future risk controls may best be targeted, and a baseline from which future improvements may be measured.

The largest number of electricity-related accidents is reported in the electrical installation and construction industries. Electrical fitters have been involved in significantly more electricity-related accidents than other occupations.

Handling/sprains and trips are reported most frequently. Low falls, being struck by falling objects and high falls also feature highly. Accidents involving contact with electricity are the fourth most frequently reported accident kind. Contact with electricity is the most significant source of fatal injury accidents in this data set; being involved in more fatal injury accidents than the other accident kinds combined. These contact accidents involved a number of agents including plant, domestic appliances and underground cables.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.

HSE Books

© Crown copyright 2010

First published 2010

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to:Licensing Division, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office,St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQor by e-mail to hmsolicensing@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk

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CONTENTS

Page No.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY v

1. INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 BACKGROUND 1

1.2 CONTEXT OF THE STUDY 1

1.3 OBJECTIVES 2

1.4 SCOPE OF REPORT 2

2. ELECTRICITY DATA SET 3

2.1 INTRODUCTION 3

2.2 RIDDOR ACCIDENT REPORTING 3

2.3 BOMEL RIDDOR DATA TOOL 6

2.4 DEFINITION OF THE ELECTRICITY DATA SET 8

2.5 ELECTRICITY DATA SET 14

3. GLOBAL ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTRICITY-RELATED ACCIDENTDATA 17

3.1 INTRODUCTION 17

3.2 DEFINITIONS 17

3.3 GLOBAL ANALYSIS 18

3.4 KEY RISK AREAS 32

4. CONCLUSIONS 67

5. RECOMMENDATIONS 71

5.1 GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS 71

5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE WORK 71

6. REFERENCES 73

APPENDIX A OTHER ELECTRICITY-RELATED ISSUES

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iv

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

This report has been prepared by BOMEL Limited for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as Technical Support Project P342 and describes a pan-industry study into the nature of electricity-related accidents in Great Britain. The approach taken in this report has been to build an accident data set for electricity-related accidents reported in Great Britain and subsequently analyse that data set using a suite of tools developed by BOMEL for identifying key risk areas.

The overall objectives of the study are to:

1. Develop an electricity related accident data set from ‘supply to switch’ to provide a baseline for measuring improvements across a range of industry sectors.

2. Analyse the electricity related accident data to gain an insight into what electricity-related accidents occur, who was involved in them, what they were doing at the time.

3. Produce a report that contains analyses of the electricity related accident data; identifies the key issues; and identify key priority areas for intervention.

ELECTRICITY RELATED ACCIDENT DATA SET

A data set for electricity-related accidents has been built from the RIDDOR accident data reported to HSE between 1996/97 and 2002/03. This data set has been defined on the basis of including only those accidents whose industries, accident kind, occupation, work process or agent is related to electricity.

A data set containing the electricity-related accidents is required to provide:

• A baseline from which future improvements may be measured.

• An insight into the key risk areas where future risk control measures and interventions may best be targeted.

Those accidents coded as resulting from contact with electricity may not reveal the true level of electricity-related accidents. For example, if an electrician fell from a ladder, the accident may well be coded as a ‘fall’ even if it was contact with electricity that caused the fall. In order to devise successful interventions there is therefore a need to identify the wider set of electricity-related accidents. The defined data set includes those accidents that involve those working with or around electricity. This provides a broad data set that includes those workers that have suffered handling / sprain injuries, trips or falls whilst undertaking electricity related work as well as those injured through contact with electricity. As a result, best use can be made of HSE resources in targeting groups of workers involved in activities such as cabling where HSE’s falls from height, slips and trips, and musculoskeletal disorder priority programmes may want to get their messages over to the same group.

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The following two-prong approach was used to identify the electricity-related accidents:

• Identify all those accidents with electricity-related RIDDOR codes by searching for one or more of the codings for industries, accident kinds, occupations, work processes, and agents that correspond to those identified for the electricity-related accidents.

• Identify those accidents where either the notifier comment or the investigation summary report contains a term relating to electricity.

The accident data identified in the two separate approaches have been combined into one data set and incorporated into the Electricity RIDDOR Report Tool.

Using the proposed criteria, 56,597 electricity-related accidents have been identified as having been reported over the last seven years. The breakdown of these accidents is shown in Table 1, where it can be seen that over the last seven years around 5,000 accidents were reported as involving contact with electricity. However, over 56,000 reported accidents could be classified as being electricity related. Around 6% of the total number of fatal injury accidents reported in Great Britain over the last seven years resulted from contact with electricity, whilst around 10% of all fatal injuries were electricity related.

Table 1 Fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents occurring in all industries as reported via RIDDOR between 1996/97 and 2002/03

Accident status All accidents in all industries

Accidents involving contact with electricity (% of all accidents)

Electricity-related accidents (% of all accidents)

Fatal injury accidents 1,726 104 (6%) 173 (10%)

Major injury accidents 199,499 1,395 (1%) 12,037 (6%)

Over 3-day injury accidents 901,044 3,258 (<1%) 44,387 (5%)

Total 1,102,269 4,757 (<1%) 56,597 (5%)

ELECTRICITY-RELATED ACCIDENTS IN INDUSTRY

The electricity related accident data set as defined in this study has been analysed for industry as a whole. The analyses included detailed breakdowns by individual industries, accident kinds, occupations, work processes and agents involved in the accidents. Risk ranking analyses were then undertaken to identify the relative likelihood of each of these factors and its potential impact on society and the individual in terms of cost.

These analyses provide an insight into the relative significance of single factors. However, pattern matching analyses permit combinations of accident kinds, occupations, work processes, agents and industries to be compared in order to identify which feature most frequently. These analyses were carried out by comparing each accident record with every other accident record in order to identify the number of matches each one has. Those combinations that appear most frequently give an indication as to what may be considered to be priority areas for intervention.

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In considering the analyses of the RIDDOR data it is important to appreciate the uncertainties associated with that data, this is because RIDDOR reports are made by people from a variety of backgrounds, some of whom may have had either very specific health and safety training or little or no health and safety training.

Study of the accident data indicated that:

• The overall number of accidents has reduced consistently from 1996/97 to 2001/02, with a smooth transition with the introduction of the ICC system in 2001/02. However, there was a distinct reduction in the number of electricity-related accidents reported in 2002/03 (see Figure 2).

• It is possible that the reduction in the number of electricity-related accidents reported in 2002/03 may be linked to the adoption of the SOC 2000 system for occupation classification. The number of accidents reported to involve electrical fitters reduced by around 1,500 in 2002/03(see Figure 3).

• The largest number of electricity-related accidents were reported in the electrical wiring installation industries. Significant numbers of accidents were also reported in the construction building and telecommunications industries (see Figure 4).

• Two distinct accident profiles are evident by industry. Firstly, the electric wiring installation and construction building industries both contain significant proportions of major injury accidents. In other industries, the accident profile consists primarily of over 3-day injury accidents. This leads to the electric wiring installation and construction building industries being the most significant in terms of overall risk and cost of accidents (see Figure 4 and Figure 16).

• Between 1996/97 and 2000/01, the largest number of accidents resulted from handling and sprains, and the majority of these accidents led to over 3-day injuries. Significant numbers of accidents also involved workers tripping and being struck by falling objects. Similar numbers of accidents involving contact with electricity and low fall were also reported. A similar pattern emerged between 2001/02 and 2002/03 (see Figure 5, Figure 17 and Figure 18).

• Contact with electricity is the most significant source of fatal injury accidents in this data set (104 fatal injury accidents out of a total of 173); being involved in more fatal injury accidents than the other accident kinds combined. This leads to contact with electricity being the most significant in terms of overall risk and cost of accidents (see Figure 6, Figure 17 and Figure 18).

• Electric fitters have been involved in significantly more electricity-related accidents than any other occupation (see Figure 7, Figure 19 and Figure 20). However, handling / sprains and trips are involved in these accidents most frequently. Low falls, being struck by falling objects and high falls also feature highly. Accidents involving

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contact with electricity are the seventh most frequently reported accident kind involving electrical fitters (see Figure 8).

• On-site transfer and general handling are the most common work processes undertaken at the time of the electricity related accident, between 1996/97 and 2000/01. Between 2001/02 and 2002/03, the principal work processes involve handling activities (see Figure 9, Figure 21 and Figure 22).

• In the first five years, the agents most frequently involved in electricity-related accidents are those involving handling heavy, awkward or sharp objects. These accidents result, primarily, in over 3-day injuries. The accidents resulting from contact with electricity involved a number of agents including plant, domestic appliances and underground cables (see Figure 11(a) and Figure 23). In the following two years, electrical cables and other materials and machinery are the primary agents, followed by ‘floors’ (involving trips) and moveable ladders (involving falls) (see Figure 11(b) and Figure 24).

• Moveable ladders leading to falls are the key agents for the first five years in terms of fatal and major injury accidents along with agents involving contact with electricity (such as domestic appliances, underground cables, networks and hand tools) (see Figure 23). A similar picture is found for the 2001/02 to 2002/03 period, where electrical cables and moveable ladders are the most significant risks along with ‘floors’ for trips (see Figure 24). Energy systems and underground cables also present significant risks in relation to contact with electricity.

• Around 6,000 to 7,000 accidents have been reported for each of the age groups between 25 and 55 years old, with reducing numbers between 40 and 55. The fatal injury accidents exhibit a distribution with around 20 to 25 fatal injury accidents being reported for age ranges between 25 and 65, with increasing numbers between 40 and 55 (see Figure 13).

• Employees are involved in the majority of the electricity-related accidents reported (see Figure 14).

• For fatal and major accidents, the construction building and installation of electric wiring industries appear most frequently in combinations. These accidents involve trips, low and high falls from ladders and, for construction building, contact with electricity from underground cables (see Table 16 and Table 20). These accidents typically occur whilst undertaking electrical work, on-site transfer and ground works (see Table 24 and Table 28), and predominantly involve electrical fitters (see Table 32).

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RECOMMENDATIONS

The purpose of this study was to provide a preliminary evidence base for developing policy, not to develop that policy. Nevertheless, outline recommendations have emerged from the study, and it is suggested that the following areas be addressed in order to reduce the risks associated with electricity-related accidents:

• The key areas where significant numbers of electricity-related accidents are being reported, electric fitters working in the electrical installation and construction industries, need to be addressed with targeted interventions.

• Whilst accidents resulting from contact with electricity give rise to the most significant risk impact in terms of cost to Great Britain, they are not the most frequently occurring. Slips, trip, low and high falls, and handling / sprain injuries also feature. The risks associated with these accidents should be addressed in conjunction with those risks associated with contact with electricity.

• Consideration should be given to developing a comprehensive evidence base for the key areas, including building risk registers. Supporting evidence could be obtained from a variety of sources including workshop findings, research reports, notifier comments, investigation reports and workshops. This evidence base will provide HSE with the means to develop prioritised interventions supported by a full audit trail.

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

This report has been prepared by BOMEL Limited for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as Technical Support Project P342 and describes a pan-industry study into the nature of electricity-related accidents in Great Britain.

1.2 CONTEXT OF THE STUDY

In June 2000, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) launched the Revitalising Health and Safety (RHS) Strategy Statement(1). Underpinning this were the new targets for health and safety given in Table 2.

Table 2 Revitalising health and safety (RHS) targets for health and safety

Target By 2004/5 By 2009/10

Reduction in incidence rate of fatalities and major injury accidents

-5% -10%

Reduction in incidence rate of cases of work-related ill-health -10% -20%

Reduction in number of working days lost per 100,000 workers from work related injury and ill-health

-15% -30%

In 1998, INDG 231(2) stated that “Each year about 1,000 accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Around 30 of these are fatal. Most of these fatalities arise from contact with overhead or underground power cables.” However, there is concern that these figures may not reveal the true level of electricity-related accidents. For example, if an electrician fell from a ladder, the accident may well be coded as a ‘fall’ even if it was contact with electricity that caused the fall. In order to devise successful interventions there is, therefore, a need to identify the wider set of electricity-related accidents.

As an illustration of that point, Table 3 indicates that over the last seven years around 5,000 accidents were reported as involving contact with electricity. However, over 56,000 reported accidents could be classified as being electricity related.

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Table 3 Fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents occurring in all industries as reported via RIDDOR between 1996/97 and 2002/03

Accident status All accidents in all industries

Accidents involving contact with electricity (% of all accidents)

Electricity-related accidents (% of all accidents)

Fatal injury accidents 1,726 104 (6%) 173 (10%)

Major injury accidents 199,499 1,395 (1%) 12,037 (6%)

Over 3-day injury accidents 901,044 3,258 (<1%) 44,387 (5%)

Total 1,102,269 4,757 (<1%) 56,597 (5%)

1.3 OBJECTIVES

The overall objectives of the study are to:

1. Develop an electricity related accident data set from ‘supply to switch’ to provide a baseline for measuring improvements across a range of industry sectors.

2. Analyse the electricity related accident data to gain an insight into what electricity-related accidents occur, who was involved in them, what they were doing at the time.

3. Produce a report that contains analyses of the electricity related accident data; identifies the key issues; and identifies key priority areas for intervention.

1.4 SCOPE OF REPORT

Section 2 introduces the RIDDOR accident data and the BOMEL data tool with details of the methodology for building the electricity related accident data set. This includes a definition of the individual codes used to select the accident records and the list of keywords used to search the notifier comments and investigation reports.

Detailed analyses including risk ranking and pattern matching can be found in Section 3 for the seven year period of 1996/97 to 2002/03. The analysis of these data provide:

• A baseline from which future improvements may be measured.

• An insight into the areas where future risk control measures and interventions may best be targeted.

The conclusions drawn from this work are presented in Section 4, followed by the recommendations in Section 5. The references used in this work are given in Section 6.

Appendix A contains a summary of other electricity-related issues addressed outside of the main study.

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2. ELECTRICITY DATA SET

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The available data on electricity-related accidents industry have been analysed in order to provide:

• A baseline from which future improvements may be measured.

• An insight into the areas where future risk control measures and interventions may best be targeted.

The main source of data is the RIDDOR accident data as provided by HSE to BOMEL under its confidential support arrangements. The analysis of this data is discussed in Section 3.

In this section, the RIDDOR accident reporting system is introduced, followed by a description of how the RIDDOR data is incorporated within the RIDDOR Data Tool developed by BOMEL. The definitions used to develop the electricity related accident data set are described along with the validation checks undertaken on the data.

In considering the analyses of the RIDDOR data it is important to appreciate the uncertainties associated with that data, this is because RIDDOR reports are made by people from a variety of backgrounds, some of whom may have had either very specific health and safety training or little or no health and safety training.

2.2 RIDDOR ACCIDENT REPORTING

Reporting of the fatal, major or minor (over three days away from work) injury accidents to workers associated with workplace activities is a statutory requirement of RIDDOR(3). This section provides a brief overview of the RIDDOR data as collected by HSE and subsequently processed and analysed by BOMEL. Detailed information is provided in References 3, 4 and 5.

In the period 1996/7 to 2000/01, RIDDOR forms, once completed, were sent to the local HSE offices, where the information on them was coded with reference to HSE guidance on coding(6), and entered into the central HSE FOCUS database by trained clerical staff. As of April 2001, a central Incident Contact Centre (ICC) was established where dedicated staff deal with hard copy, web and telephone notifications, as well as coding and entry of all RIDDOR report forms.

The fields available for analysis are summarised in Table 4. Those fields that have changed with the introduction of the ICC system are denoted in bold. Those fields marked with an asterisk in Table 4 were not completed in the FOCUS database when the reports were received from the local authority enforced sectors in the period 1996/97 to 2000/01 as they ran a different coding scheme. In April 2002, the Standard Occupation Classification (SOC 2000) was adopted. For the 2002/03 data, the occupations of those injured at work were recorded using the SOC 2000 system.

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At the 1 April 2001 juncture when the ICC system was activated, a new scheme for coding accident agents and work processes was also introduced and the categorisation of accident kinds was modified slightly. It is understood there is no clear mapping between agents and work processes for the pre- and post-ICC schemes and therefore the data sets are presented separately in the graphs which follow. Although accident kinds, ‘high fall, ‘low fall’ and ‘fall’ remain, the guidance on coding falls has apparently been clarified so that a fall initiated by a ‘trip’ (e.g. when getting out of a vehicle or on stairs) is now coded as a ‘slip or trip’ as opposed to a fall. As such, it may be anticipated that the number of recorded falls in 2001/2 would reduce even if the control of risks did not alter. Caution must therefore be exercised in interpreting trends and changes from 1996/7-2000/01 to 2001/02-2002/03 in terms of accident numbers and rates.

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Table 4 RIDDOR accident / injury data available for analysis

Field Accident Kind Age group Agent*

Area Body Part Casualty Name Client Employees UK Client Name Client No Client Function Date Employment Status Event No FMU Unit No Gender HSE Year inc_role Total Workers Site Incumbent No Industrial Workers Site Injury Nature InternalID inv_no Investigated Local authority Location Type Notifier Comments Occupation* Originator Region Report type Severity SIC92 Industry SIC92 Sector

Work Process*

Description Kind of accident e.g. slip, fall, drown Age of injured person Agent associated with the kind e.g. ladder, fragile roof etc. (The agent contains a direct reference to the accident kind in the pre-ICC data i.e. ‘Fall vehicle’, but not in the 2001/02-2002/03 data) HSE area office (old type areas 1-21 excluding 4) Site on body of injury e.g. back, leg Name of the injured party Number employed by client in UK Name of client Client identification number Status of the client e.g. private company, NHS Date of accident Employment status of injured person e.g. employee Serial number of the accident Field management unit enforcing in HSE office Gender Year in which the accident occurred Role of the client at location e.g. designer, landlord Number employed by client at particular location Incumbent (client at location) identification number Number of industrial workers employed by client at location Nature of injury e.g. fracture, burn Unique System ID for this entry Investigation number Flag to indicate if investigation required Name of local authority Type of location e.g. fixed, quarry, roadside Narrative provided by the person notifying the accident Occupation of injured person HSE Directorate/Division or local authority identification field HSE region (7 regions) Accident report type e.g. fatal, major, over 3-days F = Fatality, M = Major injury accident, O = Over 3-days accident Industry classification Industry Classification Group e.g. Agriculture, Construction, Extraction/Utility, Manufacturing or Services Work process taking place at time of accident

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2.3 BOMEL RIDDOR DATA TOOL

Fatal, major and over 3-day injury accident records from FOCUS were supplied to BOMEL in separate files for each of the seven years 1996/97 to 2002/03, together with ‘look-up’ tables cross-referencing the FOCUS codes to short and long descriptions as contained in the HSE coding systems.

The RIDDOR data as supplied by HSE were processed by BOMEL using the following steps in accordance with Reference 4:

• The raw accident data and updated look-up tables as received from HSE were imported into a Microsoft Access database.

• The data were validated and anomalies were resolved in conjunction with HSE statisticians.

• The BOMEL RIDDOR Data Tool was updated to include all accidents notified between 1996/97 and 2002/03.

• Analyses of the accident data were carried out using Excel spreadsheet Pivot Tables and Charts contained in the RIDDOR Data Tool.

In updating the database and Data Tool, reference was made to the HSE manual(7) covering the new accident kind, agent and work process codings.

Figure 1 shows the layout of the BOMEL RIDDOR database. There are three main tables in the database, containing the information on:

• Accidents / Injuries.

• Investigations.

• Reports.

The primary table used for this study is the Accidents / Injuries table. The data contained in this table are summarised in Table 4. The database tables contain the numerical FOCUS codes rather than the text descriptions. The associated look-up tables shown in Figure 1 provide access to the textual descriptions required for meaningful analyses.

It is important to note that inv_no (investigation number) is the field linking the principal tables. Furthermore the term ‘event’ is misleading in that each person injured constitutes an ‘event’ even when there are multiple injuries resulting from an accident.

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Figure 1 Data table relationships in the BOMEL RIDDOR database

In addition to the RIDDOR codes, the following narratives are available for analysis:

• Investigation summary reports – Summary provided by the Inspectors for those accidents that they investigate (all fatalities, around 13% of major injury accidents, and around 2.5% of over 3-day injury accidents are investigated). These are available for all years between 1996/97 and 2002/03.

• Notifier comments - Summaries provided by the person notifying the accident. These are only available for the years 2001/02 and 2002/03.

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2.4 DEFINITION OF THE ELECTRICITY DATA SET

The full RIDDOR database for the period of the study contains over 1.1 million accident records for the period 1996/97 to 2002/03. In order to carry out a meaningful analysis of the electricity-related accidents, all of the relevant accident data in the RIDDOR database needs to be collected together. As there may be electricity-related accidents that were not coded as relating to electricity, the following two-prong approach was used to identify these incidents:

• Identify all those accidents with electricity-related RIDDOR codes by searching for one or more of the codings for industries, accident kinds, occupations, work processes, and agents that correspond to those identified for the electricity-related accidents.

• Identify those accidents where either the notifier comment or the investigation summary report contains a term relating to electricity.

The accident data identified in the two separate approaches have been combined into one data set. This approach will not identify all accidents involving electricity, as it relies on having access to narrative text associated with either notifier comments or investigation summary reports.

In order to validate the electricity data set and ensure the appropriate accident records were included, a number of measures were taken. These included:

• Conducting a visual check on the data and graphs to assess whether the trends being illustrated were as expected. For example, initially, ‘distribution networks’ was one of the work processes selected to be part of the electricity dataset. However, investigation revealed there to be a significant number of accidents involving postal workers and that the reference description for distribution networks included mail collection, delivery and sorting as well as trips. Subsequently, distribution networks was deselected from the data set definition.

• Conducting a check on a sample of the notifier comments and investigation reports to ensure that electricity-related accidents were being included in the data set. This also served the purpose of identifying potential keywords to be included in the data set definition.

2.4.1 Identifying accidents with electricity-related RIDDOR codes

The accidents with electricity-related RIDDOR codes have been identified by searching for one or more of the codings for industries, accident kinds, occupations, work processes, and agents that correspond to those identified for the electricity-related accidents, and building a separate data set. The individual codes used to select the accident records for inclusion in the electricity data set (as agreed with HSE) are provided in Table 5 to Table 9. Each of these codes has a marker against it in the RIDDOR accident database indicating that it is part of the electricity data set. A query is used within the database to select only those accident records where one or

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more of the codes in Table 5 to Table 9 are present and these accidents are assigned an electricity ‘switch’.

Table 5 Industries selected in the definition of electricity-related accidents

SIC 92 code Industry Description

29.710 ELEC DOM APPLS Manufacture of electric domestic appliances

31.100 ELEC MOTOR/GENS Manufacture of electric motors, generators and transformers

31.200 ELEC DIST/CONT Manufacture of electricity distribution and control apparatus

31.300 INS WIRE/CABLE Manufacture of insulated wire and cable

31.400 ACCUM/CELL/BATTS Manufacture of accumulators, primary cells and batteries

31.500 LIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Manufacture of lighting equipment and electric lamps

31.610 ELEC EQP ENG/VEH Manufacture of electrical equipment for engines and vehicles not elsewhere classified

31.620 OTH ELEC EQPT Manufacture of other electrical equipment not elsewhere classified

32.100 VALVES/TUBES Manufacture of electronic valves and tubes and other electric components

32.202 RADIO/ELEC GOODS Manufacture of radio and electronic capital goods

33.201 ELEC INST/APPLS Manufacture of electronic instruments and appliances for measuring, checking, testing, navigating and other purposes except industrial process control equipment

33.301 EL PROC CON EQPT Manufacture of electronic industrial process control equipment

40.100 ELECTRICITY Production and distribution of electricity

40.101 ELEC GENERATION Electricity generation

40.102 ELEC TRANS/SUPPL Electricity transmission, distribution and supply

40.110 ELEC’Y PROD’N Production of electricity

40.120 ELEC’Y TRANSM Transmission of electricity

40.130 ELEC’Y TRADE Distribution and trade in electricity

45.310 INST ELEC WIRING Installation of electrical wiring and fitting

51.430 WSALE ELEC APP Wholesale of electrical household appliances and radio and television goods

51.431 WSALE ELEC APP Wholesale of gramophone records, audio tapes, compact discs and video tapes and of the equipment on which these are played

51.439 WSALE ELEC APP Wholesale of radio and television goods; wholesale of electrical appliances not elsewhere classified

52.450 RET ELEC APPLS Retail sale of electrical household appliances and radio and television goods

52720 REP ELEC GOODS Repair of electrical household goods

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Table 6 Accident kind categories selected in the definition of electricity-related accidents

Reference Accident kind Description

Pre ICC

VOLT Contact with electricity or electrical discharge

ICC

ELECTRICITY Contact with electricity or electrical discharge

Table 7 Occupation categories selected in the definition of electricity-related accidents

Reference Occupation Description

pre-SOC 2000

52 ELECTRIC FITTER

89 ELECTRIC/GENERAT

91 ENGINE/ELEC

302 SCIENTIFIC/ELEC

529 OTH ELECTRICAL

post-SOC 2000

2123 ELECTRICAL ENG Electrical engineers

2124 ELECTRONIC ENG Electronics engineers

3112 ELEC TECHNICIANS Electrical/electronic technicians

5233 AUTO ELECTRICIAN Auto electricians

5241 ELECTRIC FITTER Electricians, electrical fitters

5249 ELEC ENG NEC Electrical/electronics engineers n.e.c.

8118 ELECTROPLATERS Electroplaters

8131 ASSEMBLER ELEC Assemblers (electrical products)

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531

Table 8 Work process categories selected in the definition of electricity-related accidents

Reference Work process Description

pre-ICC

3224 ELEC DIST GRND Electricity Distribution

3225 ELEC GEN GRND Electricity Generation

3312 ELECTRICAL Construction: Finishing processes-all electrical work

5060 PLATING Plating (including electrolytic process)

8600 GENERATION Generation (inc electricity; conventional, nuclear power and combined heat and power systems. Also gas production both on and off shore

ICC

ELECTRICAL Electrical

Table 9 Agent categories selected in the definition of electricity-related accidents

Reference Agent Description

pre-ICC

MMTSPARK SPARK-DISCHARGE

Electro-discharge

VO VOLT Contact with electricity or electrical discharge

VODOMESTIC DOMESTIC Domestic type equipment

VOHANDTOOL HANDTOOL Handtools or Hand Lamps

VONETWORK NETWORK Other Network maintenance inc substations

VOOHLINES OHLINES Overhead lines (unintentional contact)

VOPLANT PLANT Industrial plant, vessels or equipment

VOSTUNNING STUNNING Simulation or stunning equipment

VOSWITCH SWITCH Switchboards

VOTEST TEST Research or test equipment

VOUGCABLES UGCABLES Underground Cables (unintentional contact)

ICC

05.02 ENERGY SYSTEM Systems for energy and storage, accumulators

including batteries,

05.03 OVERHEAD LINE Overhead lines

05.04 UGROUND CABLE Underground electricity cables

05.05 OTH ELEC CAB Other electricity cables including trailing, buried in walls

05.80 OTHER ENERGY SYS

Other known not in list

05.90 NOT K ENERGY SYS

Not known

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2.4.2 Identifying accidents with electricity-related RIDDOR keywords in their narratives

The list of keywords used to search within the notifier comments and investigation reports to identify the electricity-related accidents are given in Table 10. The asterisk in the keywords indicate its use as a ‘wildcard’. Thus, ‘cabl*’ indicates that the search will not only identify the word ‘cable’ but also related words with the same prefix such as ‘cables’ and ‘cabling’. Similarly, fuse* will detect related words such as ‘fuses’, ‘fuse-box’ and ‘fusing’. The underscore before ‘amp’ and ‘arc*’ ensures that the search only brings up records made up of the actual word. For instance, ‘_amp’ does not produce words such as lamp or clamp which contain the letters ‘amp’.

Initially, there was concern that some of the keywords may be too broad and that they would bring in large numbers of irrelevant records. For example, there was concern that ‘tower’ may include accidents involving scaffold towers, whilst ‘overhead’ may include accidents involving overhead cranes. However, analysis of the notifier comments and investigation reports revealed that although this was true in some instances, the records still related to electricity in that they would still involve occupations such as electric fitter or SIC industry such as installation of electric wiring.

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Table 10 List of keywords used for searching investigation reports and notifier comments to identify electricity-related accidents

Original list of keywords

Cabl*

Fuse*

-Electr

Wir*

Volt*

Trunking

Transform*

Generat*

Power

Substation

Socket

Plug

Shock

Batter*

Switch gear

UPS (Uninterrupted power supply)

Wind power

Photovoltaic

Turbine

Portable appliance

PAT (Portable appliance testing)

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2.5 ELECTRICITY DATA SET

It should be emphasised that, as discussed in Section 2.4, the electricity data set cannot be defined neatly by SIC codes, and reliance has to be placed on accident kinds, occupations, agents and work processes. Using the criteria described in Section 2.4, 56,597 accidents have been identified as being related to electricity over the last seven years. The breakdown of fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents for each of the last seven years is shown in Table 11.

Table 11 Fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents in the electricity data set

HSE Year Fatal Major Over 3-day Total

1996/97F 34 1,885 7,091 9,010

1997/98F 27 1,922 7,027 8,976

1998/99F 23 1,710 6,438 8,171

1999/2000F 28 1,744 6,443 8,215

2000/01F 19 1,625 6,257 7,901

2001/02F 24 1,630 6,032 7,686

2002/03P 18 1,521 5,099 6,638

Total 173 12,037 44,387 56,597

The electricity-related accidents are shown in Table 12 in relation to the overall number of accidents reported during the seven-year period and those involving contact with electricity. In Table 12 it can be seen that around 5,000 accidents were reported as involving contact with electricity. However, over 56,000 reported accidents could be classified as being electricity related. Around 6% of the total number of fatal injury accidents reported in Great Britain over the last seven years resulted from contact with electricity, whilst around 10% of all fatal injuries were electricity related.

Table 12 Fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents occurring in all industries as reported via RIDDOR between 1996/97 and 2002/03

Accident status All accidents in all industries

Accidents involving contact with electricity (% of all accidents)

Electricity-related accidents (% of all accidents)

Fatal injury accidents 1,726 104 (6%) 173 (10%)

Major injury accidents 199,499 1,395 (1%) 12,037 (6%)

Over 3-day injury accidents 901,044 3,258 (<1%) 44,387 (5%)

Total 1,102,269 4,757 (<1%) 56,597 (5%)

The coding system for work processes and agents changed with the introduction of the ICC system in 2001/02, whilst the coding system for occupations changed in 2002/03. There is no mapping between the pre-ICC and ICC system. In addition, the accidents notified in the local authority enforced sectors did not contain occupations, work processes or agents compatible with those used in the HSE enforced sectors before the introduction of the ICC system in

14

2001/02. As such, there are difficulties in making like-for-like comparisons across the 2001/02 and 2002/03 divides. Whilst these new coding systems may provide useful insight in the future when more data become available, care needs to be taken in interpreting the accident data presented in the following sections.

The electricity-related accident data has been incorporated into the Electricity RIDDOR Report Tool.

15

16

3. GLOBAL ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTRICITY-RELATED ACCIDENT DATA

3.1 INTRODUCTION

Detailed analyses of the electricity related accident reported in Great Britain between 1996/97 and 2002/03 are contained in this section.

The definitions relating to the graphical presentation of the data are given in the following section. This is followed by the global analysis of the RIDDOR data. The risk ranking and pattern matching techniques for identifying key risk areas are then introduced, followed by the results of their implementation.

In considering the analyses of the RIDDOR data it is important to appreciate the uncertainties associated with that data, this is because RIDDOR reports are made by people from a variety of backgrounds, some of whom may have had either very specific health and safety training or little or no health and safety training.

3.2 DEFINITIONS

A variety of information about accidents can be obtained from the RIDDOR data. For example, fields such as work process, agent involved in the accident, occupation and age of the injured person have been analysed to assess the basic circumstances of an accident.

Where the accident data for 2001/02 and 2002/03 have been recorded using different coding systems (i.e. occupations, work processes and agents) this is noted, and the data are plotted in separate graphs from the 1996/97 to 2000/01 data. The total number of accidents are presented for the first five-year period. To make comparisons with the number of accidents in 2001/02 and 2002/03, the data would need to be averaged (i.e. divide the totals by five and two respectively). It should be noted that the population by category with the new coding is also likely to be different and, as such, care should be taken in making comparisons.

The figures in the following sections contain data on fatal, major and over three-day injury accidents. The following legend is used in the figures to denote the severity of the accident:

• O – over three-day injury accident.

• M – major injury accident.

• F – fatal accident.

Where the year ends in ‘F’ this indicates that the accident data available for that year has been finalised by HSE. Where the year ends in ‘P’ this indicates that provisional data was available at the time that this project was initiated.

17

3.3 GLOBAL ANALYSIS

The following section provides information on electricity-related accidents in terms of the industries in which they occurred, accident kind, occupation, work process, agent, age profile and employment status. Supporting graphs are included where appropriate.

Figure 2 illustrates the number of electricity-related accidents for all industries over the last seven years. It can be seen that the overall number of accidents has reduced consistently from 1996/97 to 2001/02, with a smooth transition with the introduction of the ICC system in 2001/02. This suggests that the electricity data sets pre- and post-ICC are compatible. However, a distinct reduction in the number of electricity-related accidents reported can be seen in 2002/03.

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Figure 2 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03 by HSE year

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To ascertain whether the reduction in accidents reported in 2002/03 is a real trend or not, it is necessary to consider the changes in accident coding introduced in 2002/03, namely the adoption of the Standard Occupational Classification 2000 (SOC2000).

It can be seen from Figure 3 that the number of accidents reported to involve electric fitters has reduced by around 1,500 between 2001/02 and 2002/03. The overall reduction in the number of accidents between 2001/02 and 2002/03 was around 1,000. This suggests that the reduction in the number of accidents reported may be linked to the reclassification of the electrical fitter occupations in SOC 2000.

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Figure 3 Electricity-related accidents reported between 2001/02 and 2002/03 by occupation

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Figure shows that the largest number of electricity related accidents were reported in the electrical wiring installation industries Significant numbers of accidents were also reported in the construction building and telecommunications industries. Two distinct accident profiles are evident in Figure nstallation of electric wiring and construction building both contain significant proportions of major in ury accidents. In the other industries, the accident profile consists primarily of over 3 day in ury accidents.

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Figure 4 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03 by SIC industry

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Figure 5 shows the kinds of electricity-related accidents that have been reported over the seven-year period. The figure is split into two to reflect the change in coding system for accident kind in 2001/02 due to the introduction of the ICC. The change to the accident kind coding system involved an expansion of the existing accident kinds into more detailed categories. Hence, the accident kind codes used in 2001/02 and 2002/03 map onto the previous system.

Between 1996/97 and 2000/01, the largest number of accidents resulted from handling and sprains, and the majority of these accidents led to over 3-day injuries. Significant numbers of accidents also involved trips and being struck by falling objects. Similar numbers of accidents involving contact with electricity and low falls were also reported. A similar pattern emerged between 2001/02 and 2002/03. However, with the change to the ICC coding system, the handling and sprains accidents have been reported under a range of categories (including injuries due to lifting, putting down, handling, sharp objects, outward body movements and other handling activities). Tripping over an obstruction is the most common type of trip.

Figure 6 shows that contact with electricity is the most significant source of fatal injury accidents in this data set (104 out of a total of 173 fatal injury accidents), being involved in more fatal injury accidents than the other accident kinds combined. The pattern for major injury accidents is similar to that for the overall number of accidents shown in Figure 5.

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Figure 5 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03 by accident kind

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Figure 6 Fatal and major injury electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03 by accident kind

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Figure 7 shows the number of electricity-related accidents by occupation reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03. Although this figure is split in two, unlike the previous figures, this split reflects the change to the SOC 2000 systems in 2002/03 rather than the introduction of the ICC system. The figure indicates that the occupation predominantly involved in electricity accidents in both periods is that of electric fitter. Electric fitters have been involved in the largest number of fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents. Electrical engineers were involved in significant numbers of reported accidents in the first six-year period (around 55% of the numbers involving electric fitter). A similar pattern was evident in 2002/03. However, the range of occupations is now larger, and includes electrical technicians and other operators.

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Figure 7 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03 by occupation

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The types of accidents involving electric fitters are shown in Figure 8. This shows that handling / sprains and trips are involved most frequently in these accidents. Low falls, being struck by falling objects and high falls also feature highly. Accidents involving contact with electricity are the seventh most common accident kind, perhaps suggesting a greater awareness of the hazards of electricity. The largest number of fatal and major injury accidents involved falls (low-level, high-level or unclassified).

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Figure 8 Electricity-related accidents involving electric fitters between 1996/97 and 2002/03

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Figure 9 shows the work processes that were being undertaken at the time of the electricity-related accidents. Again, the figure is split into two to reflect the change in the ICC coding system in 2001/02. For the five years between 1996/97 and 2000/01, on-site transfer and general handling were the dominant work processes. However, on-site transfer includes a broad collection of work processes including: ‘movement of persons, patients walking, materials or part finished items between processes by pump, conveyor; manual or mechanical means’. Further analysis of the on site transfer accidents in Figure 10 reveals that they predominantly involved trips, falls and handling agents.

The data for the period 2001/02 to 2002/03 in Figure 9 provides a similar picture in terms of handling, but also indicates the significance of maintenance and manufacturing activities.

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Figure 9 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03 by work process

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Figure 10 Agents involved in electricity related on-site transfer accidents between 1996/97 and 2000/01

28

a) 19961400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

OT

H E

LE

C C

AB

HS

WE

IGH

T

/97 to 2000/01

O

M

F

OT

HE

R M

AT

S&

MA

CH

Figure 11 illustrates that in the 1996/97 to 2000/01 coding system the agents most frequently involved in electricity-related accidents are those involving handling heavy, awkward or sharp objects. These accidents result, primarily, in over 3-day injuries. The accidents resulting from contact with electricity involved a number of agents including plant, domestic appliances and underground cables. The ICC agent coding system for 2001/02 to 2002/03 does not include the link to the accident kind available with the pre-ICC system. However, Figure 11 indicates that in 2001/02 and 2002/03 electrical cables and other materials and machinery are the primary agents involved with electricity-related accidents, followed by ‘floors’ (involving trips) and moveable ladders (involving falls).

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

O

M

F

b) 2001/02 to 2002/03

Figure 11 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03 by agent

29

(bla

nk)

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Figure 12 shows the age distribution of those involved in all electricity-related accidents, whilst Figure 13 shows the age distribution for the fatal injury accidents. In terms of the overall number of accidents, around 6,000 to 7,000 accidents have been reported for each of the age groups between 25 and 55 years old, with reducing numbers between 40 and 55. The fatal injury accidents exhibit a distribution with around 20 to 25 fatal injury accidents being reported for age ranges between 25 and 65, with increasing numbers between 40 and 55.

0

O

M

F

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

Figure 12 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03 by age

0

5

F

10

15

20

25

16

- 1

9

20

- 2

4

01

- 1

5

16

- 1

9

25

- 2

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- 3

4

20

- 2

4

25

- 2

9

30

- 3

4

35

- 3

9

40

- 4

4

35

- 3

9

40

- 4

4

45

- 4

9

45

- 4

9

50

- 5

4

50

- 5

4

55

- 5

9

55

- 5

9

60

- 6

4

65

+

60

- 6

4

65

+

NO

T K

NO

WN

N

OT

KN

OW

N

Figure 13 Fatal electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03 by age

30

Figure 14 shows the number of electricity-related accidents by employment status. Employees are involved in the majority of the accidents.

60000

50000

40000

30000

O

M

F

20000

10000

0

EMPLOYED BY EMPLOYEE SELF EMPLOYED TRAINEE WORK

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Figure 14 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03 by employment status

31

3.4 KEY RISK AREAS

3.4.1 Introduction

In the previous section, the accident statistics were presented for a range of fields including occupation, industry, accident, work processes and agents involved in those accidents.

This section contains an analysis of the information presented in the previous section in terms of the most significant risks affecting electricity-related accidents. Two techniques have been used to identify the key risks:

• Risk ranking matrices

• Pattern matching analyses

These generic techniques were developed for the analysis of workplace transport accidents(8), but are applicable to all analyses of RIDDOR accident data, and are applied here to electricity-related risks. The techniques are described in the following sections.

3.4.2 Risk ranking methodology

Analyses are undertaken to rank each of the occupations, work processes and agents involved in the electricity-related accidents in terms of their relative number of occurrences (‘likelihood’) and impact. Each of these items can then be inserted into a risk matrix in the form shown in Figure 15, and broadly categorised as being of relatively low risk (green), relatively high risk (red) or somewhere in between (amber). This categorisation acts as a guide to the relative significance of an item. Where there are a large number of items in the risk matrices, only those items with medium-high and high likelihoods are shown in the figures.

Figure 15 Risk matrix combining likelihood and impact

H

MH

ML

Like

lihoo

d

L

L ML

Impact

MH H

The impact is calculated as a function of the cost of the accidents associated with a field (e.g. occupation, agent etc.), both to society as a whole and to an individual worker. The two impacts are combined to give an overall impact ranging between low (‘L’) and high (‘H’). The monetary value of impact is calculated from the cost of accidents estimated by HSE(9). The overall cost to society is estimated by summing the costs to society of all of the fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents reported in relation to a particular field. The cost to individuals is estimated by summing the costs to individuals of all of the fatal, major and over 3-day injury

32

accidents and dividing the total cost of an item by the total number of accidents relating to that field.

Each item of data is assigned to a quartile on the basis of its cost. The quartile positions are obtained from the minimum, maximum and average cost values along with cost values mid-way between the minimum and average, and average and maximum. The highest cost items whose values fall between the maximum and the first quartile point are assigned to the first quartile. Similarly, the remaining items are assigned to the second, third and fourth quartiles. The first quartile corresponds to high (H) impact, with the fourth quartile corresponding to low (L) impact.

The ‘likelihood’ is estimated from the overall number of accidents reported under a particular item. If population and exposure data were available for each item within a field it would be possible to calculate a ‘true’ likelihood. However, such population and exposure data are not available for the type of global data being analysed here. Overall accident numbers are thus used as a surrogate measure of likelihood. The underlying assumption is that those accidents that occur in the largest numbers are the accidents that have the greatest likelihood of occurring. Whether or not this assumption is valid, it is logical for attention to focus on accidents which occur in large numbers with significant impact (i.e. fall in the red ‘zone’ of the risk matrices as formulated here). The likelihood is determined by assigning each item within a field to a quartile on the same basis as the accident impact / costs.

33

OTHER PRINTING_1

3.4.3 Risk ranking matrices

Based on the ranking analysis of the full seven year period, Figure 16 indicates that construction building is the key risk area, followed by the installation of electrical wiring. This corresponds with Figure 4 which reveals that installation of electric wiring and construction are two of the three SIC industries which have the largest number of electricity accidents. The third SIC industry, telecommunications, has similar accident numbers to construction, but the accidents are less severe. Of the other areas with significant risks, three are directly involved in electricity (electricity generation, electricity transmission / supply and the production and distribution of electricity) whilst the others involve motor vehicles, steel working, shipbuilding and plumbing. The electricity generation and transmission / supply industries are significant as a result of both the number and severity of accidents.

Impact

L ML MH H

TELECOMMS INST ELEC WIRING CONSTRUCTION H

BLD_BLD

RET ELEC APPLS ELEC GENERATION

ELEC DOM APPLS

VALVES/TUBES

INS WIRE/CABLE

ELEC DIST/CONT

ELEC MOTOR/GENS

OTH ELEC EQPT

ELEC TRANS/SUPPL

MAINT/REP M VEHS

OTH FAB METAL

OTH CONST (SPEC)

SHIPBUILD/REPAIR

ELECTRICITY

GEN PUB SERVICES PLUMBING

ELEC INST/APPLS

ELEC EQP ENG/VEH

LIGHTING EQPT

ENGINE PARTS MV

METAL STRUCTURES

GEN MECH ENGING

ACCUM/CELL/BATTS

REP ELEC GOODS

HOSPITAL_ACT

WSALE ELEC APP_ELEC

BREAD AND PASTRY

BASIC IRON/STEEL

LIFT/HAND EQUIP

OTH BUILD INSTAL

Likelihood

MH TELEGRAPH/PHONE

AIR/SPACE CRAFT

MOTOR VEHICLES

OTHER PLASTIC

DEFENCE

TREAT/COAT METAL

MACHINE TOOLS_2

ARCHITECT/ ENG _AT

GAS MANUF/DIST

OTHER FOOD_3

ENGINES/TURBINES

PRIM EDUCATION

RET NON SP(FOOD)_TGN

OTH SPEC MACHRY

WATER COL/PU/DIS

NON-DOM COOL/VEN

OTHER SERVICE_1

SEC EDUCATION

HIGHWAY/ROAD ETC

OTH BUILD COMPL

HOSPITAL_PBLC

TV//RADIO/VIDEO

WSALE ELEC APP_OTHR

SOCIAL WORK(ACC)_SOC

MIXED FARMING

OTH RUBBER PRODS

SEWAGE/REF DISP

CASTING IRON

OTH WATER TRANSP

CATERING

FREIGHT BY ROAD_ROAD

FIRST DEGREE

Figure 16 Electricity-related accidents 1996/97 to 2002/03 - Risk matrix for SIC industry

34

Figure 17 shows the risk matrix for the accident kinds reported between 1996/97 and 2002/03. It indicates that contact with electricity is the key risk area with the impact of an accident being high. Trips are also a key risk area. Accident kinds in the amber zone may be considered as presenting significant risks due to the high likelihoods (handling / sprains) or medium-high impacts (high falls).

Figure 18 shows the risk matrix for the detailed accident kind criteria used in 2001/02 to 2002/03. The extra detail provides a similar picture. Contact with electricity is still the key risk area with both a high impact and a high likelihood. The subdivision of the accident categories has led to more detail being provided on the accident kinds in the amber zone. This subdivision has also led to trips appearing in several categories in the amber zone rather than in one generic category in the red zone.

Impact

L ML MH H

H 05 - HANDLING/SPRAINS 06 - TRIP

02 - STRUCK BY 13 - VOLT

Likelihood

MH 07L - LOW FALL

ML

10 - EXPOSURE/HOT SUB 04 - STRIKE / STEP ON

01 - MACHINERY

07H - HIGH FALL

15 - OTHER KIND 07X - FALL 09 - DROWNING/ASPHYX

17 - ASSAULT/VIOLENCE 03 - TRANSPORT

14 - ANIMAL 12 - EXPLOSION

L 08 - COLLAPSE/OVERTURN

11 - FIRE

XX - NOT KNOWN

Figure 17 Electricity-related accidents 1996/97 to 2002/03 - Risk matrix for accident kind

L H

H

Likelihood

ML MH

TRIP OBSTRUCT

OTHER-TRIP

LIFT PUTDOWN

SHARP

OTHER-HIT OBJECT

BODYMOVE

OTHER-HANDLING

ELECTRICITY

MH

LOW FALL

MACHINERY

STRUCTURE

SLIP WET

PUSH PULL

OTHER

HIGH FALL

TRIP UNEVEN

FALL UNSPEC

ML

CARRYING

HAND TOOL

UNKNOWN-TRIP

FALL EQUIP

Impact

Figure 18 Electricity-related accidents 2001/02 to 2002/03 – Risk matrix for accident kind

35

The risk matrix for occupations in the first six-year period is shown in Figure 19, and reveals that in terms of impact and likelihood, electric fitter is the key risk occupation. This echoes Figure 7 which indicated that electric fitter is the occupation that is predominantly involved in accidents in the electricity. Of the other identifiable occupations, maintenance fitters, electricity / generation staff, goods drivers and construction workers also feature highly.

The risk matrix for the occupations reported in 2002/03 is shown in Figure 20. This also highlights the significance of electric fitters as key risk occupations. In addition, Figure 20 indicates the significance of other occupations such as electrical engineers, electrical technicians, engineering processes, labourers, transport operatives, line repairers and construction workers.

L H

H

Likelihood

ML MH

ENGINE/ELEC ELECTRIC FITTER

MH

(blank)

OTH ROUTINE OP

ASSEMBLY/LINE

OTHER MISC

SCIENTIFIC/ELEC

ENGINEER/TECHNOL

OTH ELECTRICAL

OTHER MANUAL

OTH MACH/PLANT

DESPATCH CLERKS

METAL MACHINE OP

METAL MACHINING

CABLE JOINTER

ROUTINE MANUFACT

ROUTINE METAL

OTH LABOUR

MAINTAIN FITTER

ELECTRIC/GENERAT

GOODS DRIVER

OTH CONSTRUCTION

ML

OTH CRAFT/MANUAL

OTH PROC OP

FORK LIFT DRIVER

PACKERS

VEHICLE TRADES

WELDERS

CLEANERS

CARPENTER/JOINER

OTH MACHINING

SALES ASSIST

GENERAL MANAGERS

PLUMBER/HEATING

OTHER BUILDING

Impact

Figure 19 Electricity-related accidents 1996/97 to 2001/02 - Risk matrix for occupation

36

L H

H

Likelihood

ML MH

ELECTRIC FITTER

MH

VIDEO AUDIO ENG

PACKER FILLER

PROCESS OPS

ELECTRICAL ENG

OTH STORAGE HAND

SALES ASSISTANT

ASSEMBLER ELEC

TELECOM ENGINEER

PLANT OPS NEC

METAL PRODUCTION

ROUTINE OPS NEC

HGV DRIVER

ENG TECH

CLEANER/DOMESTIC

GEN OFFICE CLERK

RETAIL MGR

PLUMBER HEATING

ELECTROPLATERS

WELDING TRADES

VAN DRIVER

SETTER OPERATOR

ELECTRONIC ENG

FOODDRINKTOBACCO

FORK-LIFT TRUCK

METAL MAKE/TREAT

OTH SERVICE MGR

ELEC ENG NEC

ELEC TECHNICIANS

ENG PROS NEC

LABOURER OTH

TRANSPORTOPSNEC

LINE REPAIRER

CONSTRUCTION NEC

ML

MECH ENG

METAL WORKING

ROUTINE INSPECT

PAINTER DECORATE

PROD/PROC ENG

SCI/ENG TECH NEC

CUSTOMER CARE

MOTOR MECHANIC

NURSES

COMPUTER FITTER

CARE ASSISTANT

CATER ASSISTANT

SECURTY GUARD

PIPE FITTERS

CONSTRCT OPS NEC

PROD/MAINT MGR

AUTO ELECTRICIAN

CARPENTER

PROCES PLANT LAB

Impact

Figure 20 Electricity-related accidents 2002/03 - Risk matrix for occupation

37

MAINTN MACHINES

Figure 21 shows the risk matrix for the work processes undertaken in the first five years, whilst Figure 22 shows the corresponding data for 2001/02 to 2002/03. On-site transfer and general handling are the most significant risks between 1996/97 and 2000/01 followed by maintenance, electrical work, servicing, electricity distribution and finishing processes. Other handling activities, manufacture / production, surface treatment (painting) and electrical activities are the most significant risks between 20001/02 and 2002/03. On-site transfer includes a broad collection of work processes which have been categorised elsewhere under the ICC system, possibly here coded as walk / run else or climbing / descending equipment.

L H

H

Likelihood

ML MH

ON-SITE TRANSF

GNRL HANDLING

MH

DIST NETWORKS

LOAD/UNLOADING

GNRL OTH

GNRL LABOURING

GNRL ASSEMBLY

GNRL INSTALL ETC

MACHINING

TRAVEL/DELIVER

FABRICATION

GROUND WORKS

CONSUMER PREMISE

GENERATION

GNRL AMENITIES

BT GRND WKS

GNRL EXAMINATION

GENERAL JOBBING

ENGNRNG INSTALL

COMMISSIONING

GNRL STORING

GNRL PACKING

TOOL SETTING

GNRL MAINTN

ELECTRICAL

INADEQUATE DATA

GNRL SERV

ELEC DIST GRND

FINISHING PROCS

ML

LA BUILDINGS

PRESSING_MTL

CUTTING METALS

ELEC GEN GRND

ADMIN

PLATING

FOUND GRND WKS

BUILDING MAINTN

Impact

Figure 21 Electricity-related accidents 1996/97 to 2000/01 - Risk matrix for work process

L H

H

Likelihood

ML MH

OTH HANDLING

PROD MANUFACTURE

MH

CLIMB/DESCEND EQ

LABOURING NEC

LOAD/UNLOAD

STORING

SALES TO PUBLIC

WALK/RUN ELSE

ELECTRICAL

SURFACE TREAT

ML

VEHICLE REPAIR

AMENITIES

CLEAN INTERNAL

ENTER/LEAVE

ADMIN WORK

Impact

Figure 22 Electricity-related accidents in 2001/02 to 2002/03 - Risk matrix for work process

38

HS SHARP

WI SMALL

Figure 23 shows the risk matrix for the agents involved in the electricity-related accidents reported in the first five years, whilst Figure 24 shows the corresponding data for 2001/02 to 2002/03. Moveable ladders leading to falls are the key risk areas for the first five years along with contact with electricity. Agents involving contact with electricity (such as domestic appliances, underground cables, networks and hand tools) are significant risks along with other agents from which falls can occur. A similar picture is found for the 2001/02 to 2002/03 period, where electrical cables and moveable ladders are the most significant risks. Although the link with accident kind is no longer present, it is likely that ladders are involved in falls, whilst the energy systems and underground cable accidents also involve contact with electricity.

L H

H

Likelihood

ML MH

HS WEIGHT

HS AWKWARD

FALL LADDER-MOVE

MH

EH OBJECT TRIP OBSTRUCT

TRIP SLIPPERY

STRUCK BY

SB ARTICLE

TRIP UNEVEN

WI FIXED

FALL STAIRS

SB HANDTOOL

SB FREE FALL OBJ

TRIPS/FALLS

MACHINERY

WI MOVEABLE

SB LIFTED

SB BUILDING

MMT MACH

SB FLYING OBJECT

HS WEIGHTL

VEH FLT

WI WALK

OTHER

FALL VEHICLE_OTH

SB CHIPS

EH SPLASH

EX RELEASE6

FALL LADDER-OTH

SB VEHICLE

FALL ACCESS_OTH

EX EXPOSURE

TRIP WET-INDOOR

TRIP WET-OUTDOOR

MMT DRILLS

SB DRILLS

VO PLANT

VO DOMESTIC

VO UGCABLES

FALL ACCESS

FALL WORKAREA

FALL WORKPLAT

VO NETWORK

FALL OTHER

VO HANDTOOL

NOT KNOWN

FALL STRUCT

VOLT

ML

LS DOG

SB HOISTS

MMT SAWING

MWR WRE/RPE/CBLE

EH HOT

EXPOSE/EXPLODE

MMT PRESSES

EX RELEASE3

FALL PLANT

FALL VEHICLE

MMT GRINDING

VEH TRAN/GENERAL

MLC CONVEYOR

SB STAGING

FALL ROOFEDGE

EF FLASH

VO SWITCH

EFFIRE/EXPLOSION

FALL FRAGILE

FALL TRENCH

FALL TOWER

VO OHLINES

Impact

Figure 23 Electricity accidents in all industries 1996/97 to 2000/01 - Risk matrix for agent

39

Impact

L ML MH H

OTHER MATS&MACH OTH ELEC CAB

INJD PERSON FLOORS H

MOVEABLE LADD

MISC PORT CON OTHER ENERGY SYS

STAIRS STEPS OTHER SURF&STRUC

OTHER MACH&EQU NO INFO

MACH COMPTS HAND TRUCKS

DOMESTIC EQUI

DOORS WALLS

UGROUND CABLE

MOTORS

ENERGY SYSTEM

DRILLING

BUILDING MATS

STORAGE ACCESS

WATER

Likelihood

FURNITURE

VEH COMPTS

MACHINED PRTS

MH CUTTING

FLT

SUB NO RISK

PARTICLES

OTHER HAND TOOL

OTHER SUBSTANCES

PIPE LINE WRK

NAILING

STRETCH WATER

ROLLS COILS

OFFICE EQUIP

MOB SCAFFOLD

OTHER EQUIPMENT

PERS NK TO EM

Figure 24 Electricity accidents in all industries 2001/02 to 2002/03 - Risk matrix for agent

40

The risk matrix for age (Figure 25) shows that workers between the ages of 25 and 54 have either a ‘medium high’ or ‘high’ risk in terms of impact and likelihood. Workers under the age of 20 and over the age of 55 tend to have low risk rankings. This indicates that the levels of risk are significant for all workers in relation to electricity-related accidents apart from the very young and the very old. However, this may be a function of the age profile of workers employed in electricity related activities.

Impact

L ML MH H

30 - 34

35 - 39

H 25 - 29

40 - 44

Likelihood 45 - 49

MH 20 - 24 50 - 54

55 - 59

NOT KNOWN ML

16 - 19

L 01 - 15 60 - 64 65+

Figure 25 Electricity accidents in all industries 1996/97 to 2002/03 - Risk matrix for age

41

3.4.4 Pattern matching analyses

The analyses described in Sections 3.3 and 3.4.3 provide an insight into the relative significance of single issues. Pattern matching analyses permit combinations of accident kinds, occupations, work processes, agents and industries to be compared in order to identify which feature most frequently. These analyses are carried out by comparing each accident record with every other accident record in the data set in order to see how many matches each one has. Those combinations that appear most frequently give an indication as to what may be considered to be priority areas for intervention.

The pattern matching analyses can also be used in conjunction with the risk ranking matrices described in Section 3.4.3 to prioritise the combinations in terms of their potential likelihood and impact.

The pattern matching analyses are carried out separately for the first five years (1996/97 to 2000/01) and the subsequent two years (2001/02 to 2002/03). The change to the ICC coding system in 2001/02 means that it is not possible to match accidents reported in the first five years with those reported in the final two years. The change to the SOC 2000 system for occupations in 2002/03 means that there are insufficient data to match the patterns with occupations for the 2001/02 to 2002/03 period. It will be possible to repeat the pattern matching exercise for the recent accident data once the new coding systems have been established over several years, thus providing greater insight.

The blank cells in the following tables result from those accidents reported via the local authority enforced sectors during the period 1996/97 to 2000/01 where the coding system used for occupations, work processes or agents was not compatible with that used in the HSE-enforced sectors. If data were available they would likely split the row into several subsidiary elements. The more meaningful figures, where the frequency of combinations is clear, are from cases where all cells are filled in.

42

The most frequently occurring combinations of accident kinds and agents in the first five years are shown in Table 13 for all injury severities, and in Table 14 for fatal and major injury accidents. In terms of the overall accident numbers, handling and sprain injuries are predominant, with heavy objects being the most significant followed by awkward and sharp objects. Trip related accidents are the second most frequent combination and includes trips due to obstructions and trips due to slippery surfaces.

When fatal and major injury accidents are taken into account, low falls from movable ladders are the most frequent combination. This is followed by trips including those involving obstructions. However, contact with electricity has resulted in the largest number of combinations involving fatal injuries.

These analyses have been repeated to include matches for SIC industries (see Table 15 for all accident injury severities and Table 16 for the fatal and major injury accidents). For the overall accident numbers, the largest match is for handling / sprains injuries and trips. However, these accidents were reported in the retail industries (enforced by local authorities) and, as such, it is difficult to get a full picture due to the number of blank records. In terms of the readily identifiable accident combinations, the most common matches involve handling and sprain accidents in the telecommunications industries. When fatal and major accidents are taken into account, the construction building and installation of electric wiring industries appear most frequently. These accidents involve trips, low and high falls from ladders and, for construction building, contact with electricity from underground cables.

The most frequently occurring combinations of accident kinds and agents in the subsequent two years are shown in Table 17 for all injury severities, and in Table 18 for fatal and major injury accidents. In terms of the overall accident numbers, trips involving electric cables are the most common combination, followed by body strains, and trips on stairs / steps and floors. Low falls from moveable ladders are common, followed by contact with electricity via cables.

When fatal and major injury accidents are taken into account, low and high falls from movable ladders and trips are the most frequent combination. Contact with electricity has resulted in the largest number of combinations involving fatal injuries. These include contact with electric cables, underground cables and energy systems.

These analyses have been repeated to include matches for SIC industries (see Table 19 for all accident injury severities and Table 20 for the fatal and major injury accidents). For the overall accident numbers, the primary matches are for the electrical wiring installation industries and involve a range of accidents of which low falls from ladders are the most significant. Others include trips, handling / sprains and high falls from ladders.

When fatal and major accidents are taken into account, low and high falls in the wiring installation industries dominate. Low falls from ladders in construction also feature significantly. The fatal injuries resulting from contact with electricity appear to be distributed among a range of industries as few appear among the common combinations.

43

Table 13 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2000/01 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents for

accident kind and agent

Accident kind Agent F M O Match

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS WEIGHT 0 115 3255 3370

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS AWKWARD 0 121 2577 2698

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS SHARP 0 266 2313 2579

HANDLING/SPRAINS HANDLING/SPRAINS 0 117 2030 2147

TRIP TRIP 0 454 1266 1720

TRIP TRIP OBSTRUCT 0 488 1133 1621

TRIP TRIP SLIPPERY 0 310 1059 1369

LOW FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE 2 526 571 1099

STRUCK BY SB ARTICLE 0 231 846 1077

HANDLING/SPRAINS 0 84 948 1032

STRUCK BY STRUCK BY 3 194 812 1009

TRIP TRIP UNEVEN 0 199 805 1004

VOLT VOLT 19 303 625 947

STRIKE / STEP ON WI FIXED 0 141 791 932

VOLT 9 118 651 778

HIGH FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE 2 406 266 674

STRUCK BY SB FREE FALL OBJ 1 136 411 548

STRUCK BY SB HANDTOOL 0 65 477 542

VOLT VO PLANT 11 182 312 505

MACHINERY MACHINERY 1 106 393 500

44

Table 14 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2000/01 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal and major injury accidents for accident kind and

agent

Accident kind Agent F M O F+M

LOW FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE 2 526 571 528

TRIP TRIP OBSTRUCT 0 488 1133 488

TRIP TRIP 0 454 1266 454

HIGH FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE 2 406 266 408

VOLT VOLT 19 303 625 322

TRIP TRIP SLIPPERY 0 310 1059 310

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS SHARP 0 266 2313 266

STRUCK BY SB ARTICLE 0 231 846 231

TRIP TRIP UNEVEN 0 199 805 199

STRUCK BY STRUCK BY 3 194 812 197

VOLT VO PLANT 11 182 312 193

VOLT VO UGCABLES 5 172 204 177

STRIKE / STEP ON WI FIXED 0 141 791 141

STRUCK BY SB FREE FALL OBJ 1 136 411 137

TRIP 0 130 330 130

VOLT 9 118 651 127

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS AWKWARD 0 121 2577 121

VOLT VO DOMESTIC 6 115 299 121

HANDLING/SPRAINS HANDLING/SPRAINS 0 117 2030 117

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS WEIGHT 0 115 3255 115

45

Table 15 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2000/01 - Most frequently occurring matches for accident kind, agent and industry

Accident kind Agent Industry F M O Total

HANDLING/SPRAINS RET ELEC APPLS 0 55 704 759

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS AWKWARD TELECOMMS 0 10 425 435

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS WEIGHT TELECOMMS 0 8 378 386

TRIP RET ELEC APPLS 0 75 230 305

VOLT VO UGCABLES CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

4 104 126 234

HANDLING/SPRAINS HANDLING/SPRAINS TELECOMMS 0 3 227 230

LOW FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE

INST ELEC WIRING 1 118 101 220

LOW FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE

CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 127 92 219

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS WEIGHT ELEC DOM APPLS 0 1 214 215

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS WEIGHT INS WIRE/CABLE 0 4 204 208

STRUCK BY RET ELEC APPLS 0 54 142 196

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS SHARP INST ELEC WIRING 0 31 154 185

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS AWKWARD ELEC DOM APPLS 0 6 173 179

TRIP TRIP TELECOMMS 0 38 139 177

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS WEIGHT ELEC DIST/CONT 0 4 171 175

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS WEIGHT INST ELEC WIRING 0 12 161 173

TRIP TRIP UNEVEN TELECOMMS 0 14 158 172

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS AWKWARD INST ELEC WIRING 0 15 156 171

HIGH FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE

INST ELEC WIRING 1 117 51 169

HANDLING/SPRAINS HANDLING/SPRAINS INST ELEC WIRING 0 20 145 165

46

Table 16 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2000/01 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal and major injury accidents for accident kind, agent

and industry

Accident kind Agent Industry F M O F+M

LOW FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 127 92 127

LOW FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE INST ELEC WIRING

1 118 101 119

HIGH FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE INST ELEC WIRING

1 117 51 118

VOLT VO UGCABLES CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

4 104 126 108

TRIP RET ELEC APPLS 0 75 230 75

HIGH FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 74 32 74

TRIP TRIP OBSTRUCT CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 68 76 68

TRIP TRIP OBSTRUCT INST ELEC WIRING

0 63 100 63

HANDLING/SPRAINS RET ELEC APPLS 0 55 704 55

STRUCK BY RET ELEC APPLS 0 54 142 54

VOLT VOLT CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

1 48 75 49

TRIP TRIP CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 45 58 45

TRIP TRIP INST ELEC WIRING

0 40 107 40

TRIP TRIP TELECOMMS 0 38 139 38

HIGH FALL FALL LADDER-MOVE TELECOMMS 0 32 39 32

HANDLING/SPRAINS HS SHARP INST ELEC WIRING

0 31 154 31

FALL RET ELEC APPLS 0 31 58 31

FALL INST ELEC WIRING

0 29 23 29

TRIP TRIP OBSTRUCT ELEC DOM APPLS 0 28 67 28

TRIP TRIP OBSTRUCT VALVES/TUBES 0 28 60 28

47

Table 17 Electricity-related accidents reported between 2001/02 and 2002/03 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents for

accident kind and agent

Accident kind Agent F M O Match

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTH ELEC CAB 0 248 488 736

BODYMOVE INJD PERSON 0 15 676 691

OTHER-TRIP STAIRS STEPS 0 104 338 442

OTHER-TRIP FLOORS 0 122 256 378

LOW FALL MOVEABLE LADD 0 190 177 367

ELECTRICITY OTH ELEC CAB 9 74 202 285

TRIP UNEVEN FLOORS 0 68 212 280

LIFT PUTDOWN MISC PORT CON 0 4 205 209

OTHER-HIT OBJECT OTHER MATS&MACH 0 49 157 206

HIGH FALL MOVEABLE LADD 0 129 72 201

LIFT PUTDOWN OTHER MATS&MACH 0 6 192 198

SHARP OTHER MATS&MACH 0 22 144 166

SLIP WET WATER 0 38 126 164

UNKNOWN-TRIP FLOORS 0 54 107 161

FALL UNSPEC MOVEABLE LADD 1 72 74 147

OTHER-HANDLING OTHER MATS&MACH 0 14 132 146

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTHER MATS&MACH 0 45 83 128

MACHINERY OTHER MACH&EQU 0 26 101 127

ELECTRICITY OTHER ENERGY SYS 3 26 77 106

LIFT PUTDOWN DOMESTIC EQUI 0 5 100 105

48

Table 18 Electricity-related accidents reported between 2001/02 and 2002/03 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal and major injury accidents for accident kind and

agent

Accident kind Agent F M O F+M

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTH ELEC CAB 0 248 488 248

LOW FALL MOVEABLE LADD 0 190 177 190

HIGH FALL MOVEABLE LADD 0 129 72 129

OTHER-TRIP FLOORS 0 122 256 122

OTHER-TRIP STAIRS STEPS 0 104 338 104

ELECTRICITY OTH ELEC CAB 9 74 202 83

FALL UNSPEC MOVEABLE LADD 1 72 74 73

TRIP UNEVEN FLOORS 0 68 212 68

UNKNOWN-TRIP FLOORS 0 54 107 54

OTHER-HIT OBJECT OTHER MATS&MACH 0 49 157 49

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTHER MATS&MACH 0 45 83 45

SLIP WET WATER 0 38 126 38

ELECTRICITY UGROUND CABLE 1 30 57 31

ELECTRICITY OTHER ENERGY SYS 3 26 77 29

MACHINERY OTHER MACH&EQU 0 26 101 26

LOW FALL STAIRS STEPS 0 25 39 25

SHARP OTHER MATS&MACH 0 22 144 22

OTHER-TRIP MOVEABLE LADD 0 22 49 22

OTHER INJD PERSON 0 21 71 21

TRIP OBSTRUCT MISC PORT CON 0 20 40 20

49

Table 19 Electricity-related accidents reported between 2001/02 and 2002/03 - Most frequently occurring matches for accident kind, agent and industry

Accident kind Agent Industry F M O Total

LOW FALL MOVEABLE LADD INST ELEC WIRING 0 67 42 109

BODYMOVE INJD PERSON TELECOMMS 0 3 91 70

OTHER-TRIP FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING 0 28 45 45

BODYMOVE INJD PERSON INST ELEC WIRING 0 1 71 47

HIGH FALL MOVEABLE LADD INST ELEC WIRING 0 50 20 73

TRIP UNEVEN FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING 0 16 49 64

OTHER-TRIP STAIRS STEPS INST ELEC WIRING 0 26 38 57

LIFT PUTDOWN DOMESTIC EQUI RET ELEC APPLS 0 3 60 37

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTH ELEC CAB HOSPITAL_PBLC 0 23 34 46

FALL UNSPEC MOVEABLE LADD INST ELEC WIRING 1 28 18 36

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTH ELEC CAB GEN PUB SERVICES 0 17 29 65

BODYMOVE INJD PERSON RET ELEC APPLS 0 4 41 44

LOW FALL MOVEABLE LADD CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 30 15 36

ELECTRICITY OTH ELEC CAB CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

2 14 28 20

BODYMOVE INJD PERSON ELEC DOM APPLS 0 0 43 15

OTHER-TRIP STAIRS STEPS RET ELEC APPLS 0 6 35 26

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTH ELEC CAB CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 20 17 24

BODYMOVE INJD PERSON GEN PUB SERVICES 0 0 36 19

ELECTRICITY UGROUND CABLE CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 17 19 15

ELECTRICITY OTH ELEC CAB INST ELEC WIRING 2 12 22 13

50

Table 20 Electricity-related accidents reported between 2001/02 and 2002/03 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal and major injury accidents for accident kind, agent

and industry

Accident kind Agent Industry F M O F+M

LOW FALL MOVEABLE LADD INST ELEC WIRING

0 67 42 67

HIGH FALL MOVEABLE LADD INST ELEC WIRING

0 50 20 50

LOW FALL MOVEABLE LADD CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 30 15 30

FALL UNSPEC MOVEABLE LADD INST ELEC WIRING

1 28 18 29

OTHER-TRIP FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING

0 28 45 28

OTHER-TRIP STAIRS STEPS INST ELEC WIRING

0 26 38 26

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTH ELEC CAB HOSPITAL_PBLC 0 23 34 23

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTH ELEC CAB CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 20 17 20

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTH ELEC CAB GEN PUB SERVICES

0 17 29 17

ELECTRICITY UGROUND CABLE CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 17 19 17

TRIP UNEVEN FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING

0 16 49 16

ELECTRICITY OTH ELEC CAB CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

2 14 28 16

ELECTRICITY OTH ELEC CAB INST ELEC WIRING

2 12 22 14

OTHER-TRIP STAIRS STEPS CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 10 10 10

LOW FALL MOVEABLE LADD TELECOMMS 0 10 5 10

TRIP UNEVEN FLOORS CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 9 17 9

UNKNOWN-TRIP FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING

0 9 15 9

TRIP OBSTRUCT BUILDING MATS INST ELEC WIRING

0 9 10 9

TRIP OBSTRUCT OTH ELEC CAB IND CLEANING_OTHR

0 9 6 9

LOW FALL MOVEABLE LADD OTH ELEC EQPT 0 9 4 9

51

Additional information can be obtained by considering the most frequently occurring combinations of work processes in combination with the accident kinds and agents. These combinations are shown in Table 21 for all injury severities, and in Table 22 for fatal and major injury accidents in the first five years.

For the overall accident numbers, handling and sprain injuries are the predominant feature. In particular, injuries involving handling of heavy weights appear more frequently than those that involve the handling of sharp objects. Trips feature highly during on-site transfer activities. The blank spaces under work process and agent refer to accidents that have been reported in the local authority enforced sectors and, thus, it is difficult to categorise matches such as that involve contact with electricity.

When considering the fatal and major injury accident combinations, accidents involving trips whilst undertaking on-site transfer are the most frequently occurring matches where details are available. The primary combinations involve contact with electricity are in the local authority enforced sectors, and hence have little information available. The most significant identifiable combinations involving contact with electricity involve plant and underground cables.

These analyses have been repeated to include matches for SIC industries (see Table 23 for all accident injury severities and Table 24 for the fatal and major injury accidents). For the overall accident numbers, handling and sprain injuries in the telecommunications industry have the most frequently occurring matches. This is followed by handling / sprain injuries in the domestic appliance industries and low falls from ladders whilst undertaking electrical work in construction building industries.

For the fatal and major injury accidents, construction building is the most frequently occurring industry, with low and high falls from ladders, trips, and contact with electricity during electrical work, on-site transfer and ground works respectively. This pattern is repeated with the installation of electric wiring which has a similar profile in terms of falls and trips.

The most frequently occurring combinations of work processes in combination with the accident kinds and agents in 2001/02 and 2002/03 are shown in Table 25 for all injury severities, and in Table 26 for fatal and major injury accidents in the subsequent two years of 2001/02 and 2002/03.

For the overall accident numbers, trips are the predominant feature. In particular, these trips involve workers tripping over electrical cables whilst moving about, and stairs / steps when climbing or descending equipment, vehicles or steps. Low falls from ladders also feature as key areas whilst undertaking electrical work. When considering the fatal and major injury accident combinations, low and high falls from ladders whilst undertaking electrical work are on a par with trips. Accidents combinations involving contact with electricity from electrical cables are the next most significant combination.

These analyses have been repeated to include matches for SIC industries (see Table 27 for all accident injury severities and Table 28 for the fatal and major injury accidents). For the overall accident numbers, low falls from ladders whilst undertaking electrical work in the electrical installation industries are the most frequently occurring matches. This is followed by trips in the same industries. For the fatal and major injury accidents, the electrical installation industries are the most frequently occurring industries, with low and high falls from ladders.

52

Table 21 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2000/01 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents for

accident kind, work process and agent

Accident Kind Work Process Agent F M O Match

HANDLING/SPRAINS GNRL HANDLING HS WEIGHT 0 45 1394 1439

HANDLING/SPRAINS GNRL HANDLING HS SHARP 0 112 975 1087

HANDLING/SPRAINS 0 84 948 1032

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF TRIP OBSTRUCT 0 309 708 1017

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF TRIP 0 218 657 875

HANDLING/SPRAINS GNRL HANDLING HANDLING/SPRAI NS

0 43 800 843

HANDLING/SPRAINS GNRL HANDLING HS AWKWARD 0 31 796 827

VOLT 9 118 650 777

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF TRIP SLIPPERY 0 185 579 764

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF TRIP UNEVEN 0 126 451 577

HANDLING/SPRAINS LOAD/UNLOADING HS WEIGHT 0 18 545 563

TRIP 0 130 330 460

HANDLING/SPRAINS ON-SITE TRANSF HS WEIGHT 0 16 346 362

STRUCK BY GNRL HANDLING SB ARTICLE 0 72 250 322

STRUCK BY 0 76 229 305

LOW FALL ON-SITE TRANSF FALL STAIRS 0 69 219 288

HANDLING/SPRAINS DIST NETWORKS HS AWKWARD 0 7 274 281

HANDLING/SPRAINS ON-SITE TRANSF HS AWKWARD 0 10 268 278

HANDLING/SPRAINS GNRL MAINTN HS AWKWARD 0 10 258 268

HANDLING/SPRAINS GNRL MAINTN HS SHARP 0 24 235 259

53

Table 22 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2000/01 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal and major injury accidents for accident kind, work

process and agent

Accident Kind Work Process Agent F M O F+M

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF TRIP OBSTRUCT 0 309 708 309

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF TRIP 0 218 657 218

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF TRIP SLIPPERY 0 185 579 185

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL FALL LADDER-MOVE

0 148 102 148

TRIP 0 130 330 130

VOLT 9 118 650 127

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF TRIP UNEVEN 0 126 451 126

HANDLING/SPRAINS GNRL HANDLING HS SHARP 0 112 975 112

HIGH FALL ELECTRICAL FALL LADDER-MOVE

1 96 47 97

LOW FALL GNRL MAINTN FALL LADDER-MOVE

2 92 97 94

HANDLING/SPRAINS 0 84 948 84

STRUCK BY 0 76 229 76

FALL 0 73 101 73

STRUCK BY GNRL HANDLING SB ARTICLE 0 72 250 72

LOW FALL ON-SITE TRANSF FALL STAIRS 0 69 219 69

VOLT GNRL MAINTN VO PLANT 3 66 97 69

LOW FALL ON-SITE TRANSF FALL LADDER-MOVE

0 66 109 66

HIGH FALL GNRL MAINTN FALL LADDER-MOVE

0 58 48 58

HIGH FALL GNRL INSTALL ETC

FALL LADDER-MOVE

0 57 30 57

VOLT GROUND WORKS VO UGCABLES 0 56 60 56

54

Table 23 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2000/01 - Most frequently occurring matches for accident kind, work process, agent and industry

Accident kind Work process Agent Industry F M O Total

HANDLING / SPRAINS

RET ELEC APPLS

0 55 704 759

TRIP RET ELEC APPLS

0 75 230 305

STRUCK BY RET ELEC APPLS

0 54 142 196

HANDLING / SPRAINS

DIST NETWORKS

HS AWKWARD TELECOMMS 0 5 155 141

HANDLING / SPRAINS

WSALE ELEC APP_ELEC

0 10 131 136

HANDLING / SPRAINS

GNRL HANDLING

HS WEIGHT TELECOMMS 0 3 125 116

HANDLING / SPRAINS

DIST NETWORKS

HS WEIGHT TELECOMMS 0 2 119 113

VOLT RET NON SP(FOOD)_TGN

0 9 107 99

HANDLING / SPRAINS

GNRL HANDLING

HS WEIGHT ELEC DOM APPLS

0 0 114 96

STRIKE / STEP ON

RET ELEC APPLS

0 27 86 96

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL FALL LADDER-MOVE

CONSTRUCTIO N BLD_BLD

0 67 41 89

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT

INST ELEC WIRING

0 43 63 78

HANDLING / SPRAINS

GNRL HANDLING

HS WEIGHT INS WIRE/CABLE

0 2 103 76

HANDLING / SPRAINS

INST ELEC WIRING

0 15 81 75

HANDLING / SPRAINS

DIST NETWORKS

HANDLING/SP RAINS

TELECOMMS 0 2 91 62

FALL RET ELEC APPLS

0 31 58 58

HANDLING / SPRAINS

GNRL HANDLING

HS AWKWARD TELECOMMS 0 1 88 56

HANDLING / SPRAINS

GNRL HANDLING

HS SHARP ELEC MOTOR/GENS

0 3 83 56

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT

CONSTRUCTIO N BLD_BLD

0 45 41 54

HANDLING / SPRAINS

GNRL HANDLING

HS AWKWARD ELEC DOM APPLS

0 0 83 54

55

Table 24 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2000/01 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal and major injury accidents for accident kind, work

process and agent

Accident kind Work process Agent Industry F M O F+M

TRIP RET ELEC APPLS

0 75 230 75

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL FALL LADDER-MOVE

CONSTRUCTI ON BLD_BLD

0 67 41 67

HANDLING / SPRAINS

RET ELEC APPLS

0 55 704 55

STRUCK BY RET ELEC APPLS

0 54 142 54

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT CONSTRUCTI ON BLD_BLD

0 45 41 45

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT INST ELEC WIRING

0 43 63 43

HIGH FALL ELECTRICAL FALL LADDER-MOVE

CONSTRUCTI ON BLD_BLD

0 42 15 42

VOLT GROUND WORKS

VO UGCABLES CONSTRUCTI ON BLD_BLD

0 40 42 40

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL FALL LADDER-MOVE

INST ELEC WIRING

0 40 23 40

HIGH FALL ELECTRICAL FALL LADDER-MOVE

INST ELEC WIRING

1 33 13 34

FALL RET ELEC APPLS

0 31 58 31

FALL INST ELEC WIRING

0 29 23 29

STRIKE / STEP ON

RET ELEC APPLS

0 27 86 27

TRIP WSALE ELEC APP_ELEC

0 26 52 26

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP CONSTRUCTI ON BLD_BLD

0 24 33 24

VOLT FOUND GRND WKS

VO UGCABLES CONSTRUCTI ON BLD_BLD

1 18 27 19

HIGH FALL INST ELEC WIRING

2 17 12 19

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT VALVES/TUB ES

0 18 45 18

TRIP ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT ELEC DOM APPLS

0 18 43 18

LOW FALL RET ELEC APPLS

0 18 31 18

56

Table 25 Electricity-related accidents reported between 2001/02 and 2002/03 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal, major and over 3-day injury accidents for

accident kind, work process and agent

Accident Kind Work Process Agent F M O Match

TRIP OBSTRUCT WALK/RUN ELSE OTH ELEC CAB 0 102 208 310

OTHER-TRIP CLIMB/DESCEND EQ

STAIRS STEPS 0 70 233 303

BODYMOVE OTH HANDLING INJD PERSON 0 3 177 180

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD 0 79 53 132

OTHER-TRIP WALK/RUN ELSE FLOORS 0 36 94 130

TRIP UNEVEN WALK/RUN ELSE FLOORS 0 24 99 123

LOW FALL CLIMB/DESCEND EQ

MOVEABLE LADD 0 57 64 121

BODYMOVE PROD MANUFACTURE

INJD PERSON 0 0 101 101

LIFT PUTDOWN OTH HANDLING OTHER MATS&MACH

0 4 97 101

BODYMOVE MAINTN MACHINES INJD PERSON 0 3 90 93

BODYMOVE ELECTRICAL INJD PERSON 0 2 89 91

LIFT PUTDOWN OTH HANDLING MISC PORT CON 0 0 90 90

ELECTRICITY ELECTRICAL OTH ELEC CAB 2 27 47 76

TRIP OBSTRUCT PROD MANUFACTURE

OTH ELEC CAB 0 16 59 75

SHARP OTH HANDLING OTHER MATS&MACH

0 11 62 73

OTHER-HIT OBJECT OTH HANDLING OTHER MATS&MACH

0 17 51 68

HIGH FALL ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD 0 43 21 64

OTHER-HANDLING OTH HANDLING OTHER MATS&MACH

0 8 52 60

SLIP WET WALK/RUN ELSE WATER 0 11 48 59

BODYMOVE LABOURING NEC INJD PERSON 0 1 57 58

57

Table 26 Electricity-related accidents reported between 2001/02 and 2002/03 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal and major injury accidents for accident kind, work

process and agent

Accident Kind Work Process Agent F M O F+M

TRIP OBSTRUCT WALK/RUN ELSE OTH ELEC CAB 0 102 208 102

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD 0 79 53 79

OTHER-TRIP CLIMB/DESCEND EQ

STAIRS STEPS 0 70 233 70

LOW FALL CLIMB/DESCEND EQ

MOVEABLE LADD 0 57 64 57

HIGH FALL ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD 0 43 21 43

OTHER-TRIP WALK/RUN ELSE FLOORS 0 36 94 36

HIGH FALL MAINTN MACHINES MOVEABLE LADD 0 35 13 35

ELECTRICITY ELECTRICAL OTH ELEC CAB 2 27 47 29

FALL UNSPEC ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD 1 27 22 28

HIGH FALL CLIMB/DESCEND EQ

MOVEABLE LADD 0 27 24 27

TRIP UNEVEN WALK/RUN ELSE FLOORS 0 24 99 24

LOW FALL MAINTN MACHINES MOVEABLE LADD 0 23 23 23

TRIP OBSTRUCT WALK/RUN ELSE OTHER MATS&MACH

0 22 36 22

UNKNOWN-TRIP WALK/RUN ELSE FLOORS 0 22 35 22

FALL UNSPEC CLIMB/DESCEND EQ

MOVEABLE LADD 0 22 24 22

TRIP OBSTRUCT CLEAN INTERNAL OTH ELEC CAB 0 22 20 22

OTHER-TRIP CLIMB/DESCEND EQ

FLOORS 0 18 32 18

OTHER-HIT OBJECT OTH HANDLING OTHER MATS&MACH

0 17 51 17

TRIP OBSTRUCT PROD MANUFACTURE

OTH ELEC CAB 0 16 59 16

TRIP OBSTRUCT ADMIN WORK OTH ELEC CAB 0 14 40 14

58

Table 27 Electricity-related accidents reported between 2001/02 and 2002/03 - Most frequently occurring matches for accident kind, work process, agent and industry

Accident kind Work process Agent Industry F M O Total

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

0 34 14 48

OTHER-TRIP CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

STAIRS STEPS INST ELEC WIRING

0 20 25 45

LOW FALL CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

0 22 14 36

TRIP UNEVEN WALK/RUN ELSE

FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING

0 5 29 34

OTHER-TRIP CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

STAIRS STEPS RET ELEC APPLS

0 5 26 31

ELECTRICITY ELECTRICAL OTH ELEC CAB INST ELEC WIRING

1 10 18 29

BODYMOVE OTH HANDLING

INJD PERSON TELECOMMS 0 0 26 26

OTHER-TRIP CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

STAIRS STEPS TELECOMMS 0 2 24 26

HIGH FALL ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

0 17 8 25

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD

CONSTRUCTIO N BLD_BLD

0 17 6 23

BODYMOVE OTH HANDLING

INJD PERSON INST ELEC WIRING

0 0 22 22

HIGH FALL CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

0 14 8 22

OTHER-TRIP WALK/RUN ELSE

FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING

0 6 16 22

TRIP OBSTRUCT

WALK/RUN ELSE

OTH ELEC CAB GEN PUB SERVICES

0 5 16 21

BODYMOVE ELECTRICAL INJD PERSON TELECOMMS 0 1 19 20

LIFT PUTDOWN OTH HANDLING

DOMESTIC EQUI

RET ELEC APPLS

0 2 18 20

TRIP OBSTRUCT

WALK/RUN ELSE

OTH ELEC CAB CONSTRUCTIO N BLD_BLD

0 11 8 19

TRIP OBSTRUCT

WALK/RUN ELSE

OTH ELEC CAB HOSPITAL_PBL C

0 8 11 19

BODYMOVE MAINTN MACHINES

INJD PERSON TELECOMMS 0 0 18 18

LIFT PUTDOWN LOAD / UNLOAD

DOMESTIC EQUI

RET ELEC APPLS

0 1 17 18

59

Table 28 Electricity-related accidents reported between 2001/02 and 2002/03 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal and major injury accidents for accident kind, work

process and agent

Accident kind Work process Agent Industry F M O F+M

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

0 34 14 34

LOW FALL CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

0 22 14 22

OTHER-TRIP CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

STAIRS STEPS INST ELEC WIRING

0 20 25 20

HIGH FALL ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

0 17 8 17

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD

CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 17 6 17

HIGH FALL CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

0 14 8 14

HIGH FALL MAINTN MACHINES

MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

0 13 2 13

FALL UNSPEC ELECTRICAL MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

1 11 5 12

ELECTRICITY ELECTRICAL OTH ELEC CAB

INST ELEC WIRING

1 10 18 11

TRIP OBSTRUCT

WALK/RUN ELSE OTH ELEC CAB

CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 11 8 11

TRIP OBSTRUCT

WALK/RUN ELSE OTH ELEC CAB

HOSPITAL_PBLC 0 8 11 8

LOW FALL CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

MOVEABLE LADD

CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 8 6 8

ELECTRICITY ELECTRICAL OTH ELEC CAB

CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 8 5 8

FALL UNSPEC CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

MOVEABLE LADD

INST ELEC WIRING

0 7 7 7

LOW FALL ELECTRICAL STAIRS STEPS INST ELEC WIRING

0 7 3 7

OTHER-TRIP WALK/RUN ELSE FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING

0 6 16 6

OTHER-TRIP ELECTRICAL FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING

0 6 6 6

OTHER-TRIP CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

STAIRS STEPS CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 6 5 6

OTHER-TRIP CLIMB / DESCEND EQ

FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING

0 6 5 6

OTHER-TRIP MAINTN MACHINES

FLOORS INST ELEC WIRING

0 6 2 6

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The fourth field of information to be considered in the accident combinations is the occupation of the injured worker. The most frequently occurring combinations of accident kind, occupation, work process and agent are shown in Table 29 for all injury severities, and in Table 30 for fatal and major injury accidents.

For the overall accident numbers, it can be seen that electric fitter is involved in the largest number of accidents, generally during handling or on-site transfer activities. These accidents typically involve trips and handling and sprains injuries. It is interesting to note that accidents due to contact with electricity do not feature among the most frequent combinations. This is in contrast to the previous accident combinations where contact with electricity frequently featured in the analyses. In terms of fatal and major injury accidents, electric fitters have been involved in low and high falls from ladders either during electrical or maintenance work. The majority of the other common matches involve electric fitters in trips.

These analyses have been repeated to include matches for SIC industries (see Table 31 for all accident injury severities and Table 32 for the fatal and major injury accidents) and again, electric fitter features prominently. For the overall accident numbers, electric fitters are involved most frequently in handling and sprain injuries in the telecommunications industry and low falls from ladders in the construction industry. For the fatal and major injury accidents, electric fitters are involved most frequently in low falls from ladders and trips from obstructions. These occured predominantly in the construction and electrical wiring installation industries while undertaking electrical or on-site transfer activities.

No analyses are presented for 2001/02 or 2002/03 as the coding system for accident kinds, work processes and agents changed in 2001/02, whilst the coding system for occupations changed in 2002/03. One year’s worth of data is insufficient to identify underlying trends using pattern matching.

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Table 29 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2001/01 - Most frequently occurring matches for accident kind, occupation, work process and agent

Accident Kind Occupation Work Process Agent F M O Total

HANDLING / SPRAINS

0 84 948 1032

VOLT 9 118 650 777

TRIP 0 130 330 460

HANDLING / SPRAINS

ELECTRIC FITTER

GNRL HANDLING

HS WEIGHT 0 9 376 385

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT

0 103 213 316

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP 0 71 235 306

STRUCK BY 0 76 229 305

HANDLING / SPRAINS

ENGINE / ELEC GNRL HANDLING

HS WEIGHT 0 19 284 303

HANDLING / SPRAINS

ENGINE / ELEC GNRL HANDLING

HS SHARP 0 30 243 273

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP SLIPPERY

0 54 197 251

HANDLING / SPRAINS

ELECTRIC FITTER

GNRL HANDLING

HS AWKWARD

0 13 217 230

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP UNEVEN 0 48 180 228

HANDLING / SPRAINS

ELECTRIC FITTER

GNRL HANDLING

HS SHARP 0 23 203 226

HANDLING / SPRAINS

ELECTRIC FITTER

GNRL HANDLING

HANDLING/S PRAINS

0 6 203 209

HANDLING / SPRAINS

ELECTRIC FITTER

DIST NETWORKS

HS AWKWARD

0 6 198 204

HANDLING / SPRAINS

ENGINE / ELEC GNRL HANDLING

HANDLING/S PRAINS

0 12 188 200

LOW FALL ELECTRIC ELECTRICAL FALL 0 103 72 175 FITTER LADDER-

MOVE

FALL 0 73 101 174

TRIP ENGINE / ELEC ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP 0 43 130 173

TRIP ENGINE/ELEC ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT

0 62 107 169

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Table 30 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2001/01 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal and major injury accidents for accident kind,

occupation, work process and agent

Accident Kind Occupation Work Process Agent F M O F+M

TRIP 0 130 330 130

VOLT 9 118 650 127

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT

0 103 213 103

LOW FALL ELECTRIC FITTER

ELECTRICAL FALL LADDER-MOVE

0 103 72 103

HANDLING / SPRAINS

0 84 948 84

STRUCK BY 0 76 229 76

FALL 0 73 101 73

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP 0 71 235 71

HIGH FALL ELECTRIC FITTER

ELECTRICAL FALL LADDER-MOVE

1 65 32 66

LOW FALL ELECTRIC FITTER

GNRL MAINTN

FALL LADDER-MOVE

1 64 57 65

TRIP ENGINE/ELEC ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT

0 62 107 62

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP SLIPPERY 0 54 197 54

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP UNEVEN 0 48 180 48

LOW FALL ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

FALL LADDER-MOVE

0 44 62 44

TRIP ENGINE/ELEC ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP 0 43 130 43

STRIKE / STEP ON

1 38 119 39

TRIP ENGINE/ELEC ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP SLIPPERY 0 38 98 38

HIGH FALL ELECTRIC FITTER

GNRL INSTALL ETC

FALL LADDER-MOVE

0 34 13 34

LOW FALL 0 32 56 32

HIGH FALL ELECTRIC FITTER

GNRL MAINTN

FALL LADDER-MOVE

0 31 30 31

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Table 31 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2001/01 - Most frequently occurring matches for accident kind, occupation, work process, agent and

industry

Accident Kind Occupation Work Process Agent Industry F M O Total

HANDLING / SPRAINS

RET ELEC APPLS

0 55 704 759

TRIP RET ELEC APPLS

0 75 230 305

STRUCK BY RET ELEC APPLS

0 54 142 196

HANDLING / WSALE 0 10 131 141 SPRAINS ELEC

APP_ELEC

HANDLING / ELECTRIC DIST HS TELECOM 0 5 131 136 SPRAINS FITTER NETWORKS AWKWARD MS

VOLT RET NON 0 9 107 116 SP(FOOD)_ TGN

STRIKE / STEP ON

RET ELEC APPLS

0 27 86 113

HANDLING / SPRAINS

ELECTRIC FITTER

GNRL HANDLING

HS WEIGHT TELECOM MS

0 2 97 99

HANDLING / SPRAINS

INST ELEC WIRING

0 15 81 96

HANDLING / SPRAINS

ELECTRIC FITTER

DIST NETWORKS

HS WEIGHT TELECOM MS

0 1 95 96

FALL RET ELEC APPLS

0 31 58 89

TRIP WSALE 0 26 52 78 ELEC APP_ELEC

LOW FALL ELECTRIC ELECTRICAL FALL CONSTRUC 0 45 31 76 FITTER LADDER- TION

MOVE BLD_BLD

VOLT RESTAURA NTS

1 12 62 75

HANDLING / ELECTRIC GNRL HS TELECOM 0 1 61 62 SPRAINS FITTER HANDLING AWKWARD MS

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP UNEVEN

TELECOM MS

0 8 50 58

TRIP INST ELEC WIRING

0 17 39 56

HANDLING / ELECTRIC DIST HANDLING/ TELECOM 0 2 54 56 SPRAINS FITTER NETWORKS SPRAINS MS

VOLT HOTELS/M OTEL (R)

1 9 44 54

VOLT RET OTH NON-SPEC

0 6 48 54

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Table 32 Electricity-related accidents reported between 1996/97 and 2001/01 - Most frequently occurring matches of fatal and major injury accidents for accident kind,

occupation, work process, agent and industry

Accident Kind Occupation Work Process

Agent Industry F M O F+M

TRIP RET ELEC APPLS 0 75 230 75

HANDLING / SPRAINS

RET ELEC APPLS 0 55 704 55

STRUCK BY RET ELEC APPLS 0 54 142 54

LOW FALL ELECTRIC ELECTRIC FALL CONSTRUCTION 0 45 31 45 FITTER AL LADDER- BLD_BLD

MOVE

FALL RET ELEC APPLS 0 31 58 31

LOW FALL ELECTRIC ELECTRIC FALL INST ELEC 0 31 17 31 FITTER AL LADDER- WIRING

MOVE

FALL INST ELEC WIRING

0 29 23 29

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT

CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 29 23 29

STRIKE / STEP ON

RET ELEC APPLS 0 27 86 27

TRIP WSALE ELEC APP_ELEC

0 26 52 26

HIGH FALL ELECTRIC ELECTRIC FALL CONSTRUCTION 0 26 12 26 FITTER AL LADDER- BLD_BLD

MOVE

HIGH FALL ELECTRIC ELECTRIC FALL INST ELEC 1 21 8 22 FITTER AL LADDER- WIRING

MOVE

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP OBSTRUCT

INST ELEC WIRING

0 19 27 19

HIGH FALL INST ELEC WIRING

2 17 12 19

LOW FALL RET ELEC APPLS 0 18 31 18

TRIP INST ELEC WIRING

0 17 39 17

TRIP ELECTRIC FITTER

ON-SITE TRANSF

TRIP CONSTRUCTION BLD_BLD

0 17 23 17

LOW FALL ELECTRIC ON-SITE FALL INST ELEC 0 16 10 16 FITTER TRANSF LADDER- WIRING

MOVE

HANDLING / SPRAINS

INST ELEC WIRING

0 15 81 15

HIGH FALL ELECTRIC DIST FALL TELECOMMS 0 14 19 14 FITTER NETWOR LADDER-

KS MOVE

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4. CONCLUSIONS

In relation to the initial objectives, the following conclusions can be drawn from the work undertaken in this project:

Objective 1: To develop an electricity related accident data set from ‘supply to switch’ to provide a baseline for measuring improvements across a range of industry sectors.

1. A data set for electricity-related accidents has been built from the RIDDOR accident data reported to HSE between 1996/97 and 2002/03. This data set has been defined on the basis of including only those accidents whose industries, accident kind, occupation, work process or agent is related to electricity, and / or whose notifier comments or investigation reports contain an electricity-related keyword.

2. The defined data set includes those accidents that involve those working with or around electricity. This provides a broad data set that includes those workers that have suffered handling / sprain injuries, trips or falls whilst undertaking electricity related work as well as those injured through contact with electricity. As a result, best use can be made of HSE resources in targeting groups of workers involved in activities such as cabling where HSE’s falls from height, slips and trips, and musculoskeletal disorder priority programmes may want to get their messages over to the same group.

3. Using the proposed criteria, 56,597 electricity-related accidents have been identified as having been reported over the last seven years.

4. There are potential discontinuities in the data set, largely as a result of the implementation of the Incident Contact Centre in 2001/02 and the coincident change in the accident coding system.

Objective 2: Analyse the electricity related accident data to gain an insight into what electricity-related accidents occur, who was involved in them, what they were doing at the time.

5. The overall number of accidents has reduced consistently from 1996/97 to 2001/02, with a smooth transition with the introduction of the ICC system in 2001/02. However, there was a distinct reduction in the number of electricity-related accidents reported in 2002/03 (see Figure 2).

6. It is possible that the reduction in the number of electricity-related accidents reported in 2002/03 may be linked to the adoption of the SOC 2000 system for occupation classification. The number of accidents reported to involve electrical fitters reduced by around 1,500 in 2002/03(see Figure 3).

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7. The largest number of electricity-related accidents were reported in the electrical wiring installation industries. Significant numbers of accidents were also reported in the construction building and telecommunications industries (see Figure 4).

8. Two distinct accident profiles are evident by industry. Firstly, the electric wiring installation and construction building industries both contain significant proportions of major injury accidents. In other industries, the accident profile consists primarily of over 3-day injury accidents. This leads to the electric wiring installation and construction building industries being the most significant in terms of overall risk and cost of accidents (see Figure 4 and Figure 16).

9. Between 1996/97 and 2000/01, the largest number of accidents resulted from handling and sprains, and the majority of these accidents led to over 3-day injuries. Significant numbers of accidents also involved workers tripping and being struck by falling objects. Similar numbers of accidents involving contact with electricity and low fall were also reported. A similar pattern emerged between 2001/02 and 2002/03 (see Figure 5, Figure 17 and Figure 18).

10. Contact with electricity is the most significant source of fatal injury accidents in this data set (104 fatal injury accidents out of a total of 173); being involved in more fatal injury accidents than the other accident kinds combined. This leads to contact with electricity being the most significant in terms of overall risk and cost of accidents (see Figure 6, Figure 17 and Figure 18).

11. Electric fitters have been involved in significantly more electricity-related accidents than any other occupation (see Figure 7, Figure 19 and Figure 20). However, handling / sprains and trips are involved in these accidents most frequently. Low falls, being struck by falling objects and high falls also feature highly. Accidents involving contact with electricity are the seventh most frequently reported accident kind involving electrical fitters (see Figure 8).

12. On-site transfer and general handling are the most common work processes undertaken at the time of the electricity related accident, between 1996/97 and 2000/01. Between 2001/02 and 2002/03, the principal work processes involve handling activities (see Figure 9, Figure 21 and Figure 22).

13. In the first five years, the agents most frequently involved in electricity-related accidents are those involving handling heavy, awkward or sharp objects. These accidents result, primarily, in over 3-day injuries. The accidents resulting from contact with electricity involved a number of agents including plant, domestic appliances and underground cables (see Figure 11(a) and Figure 23). In the following two years, electrical cables and other materials and machinery are the primary agents, followed by ‘floors’ (involving trips) and moveable ladders (involving falls) (see Figure 11(b) and Figure 24).

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14. Moveable ladders leading to falls are the key agents for the first five years in terms of fatal and major injury accidents along with agents involving contact with electricity (such as domestic appliances, underground cables, networks and hand tools) (see Figure 23). A similar picture is found for the 2001/02 to 2002/03 period, where electrical cables and moveable ladders are the most significant risks along with ‘floors’ for trips (see Figure 24). Energy systems and underground cables also present significant risks in relation to contact with electricity.

15. Around 6,000 to 7,000 accidents have been reported for each of the age groups between 25 and 55 years old, with reducing numbers between 40 and 55. The fatal injury accidents exhibit a distribution with around 20 to 25 fatal injury accidents being reported for age ranges between 25 and 65, with increasing numbers between 40 and 55 (see Figure 13).

16. Employees are involved in the majority of the electricity-related accidents reported (see Figure 14).

17. For fatal and major accidents, the construction building and installation of electric wiring industries appear most frequently in combinations. These accidents involve trips, low and high falls from ladders and, for construction building, contact with electricity from underground cables (see Table 16 and Table 20). These accidents typically occur whilst undertaking electrical work, on-site transfer and ground works (see Table 24 and Table 28), and predominantly involve electrical fitters (see Table 32).

Objective 3: Produce a report that contains analyses of the electricity related accident data; identifies the key issues; and identify key priority areas for intervention.

18. The overall approach taken in this report is to use the RIDDOR accident data to identify the key electricity-related risks and thus help HSE develop prioritised interventions supported by a preliminary evidence base. The evidence base has been built using new data analysis tools developed to provide an insight into the key risk areas.

19. This report provides HSE with a preliminary evidence base on which future intervention strategies may be based.

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5. RECOMMENDATIONS

The purpose of this study was to provide a preliminary evidence base for developing policy, not to develop that policy. Nevertheless, outline recommendations have emerged from the study, and it is suggested that the following areas be addressed in order to reduce the risks associated with electricity-related accidents.

5.1 GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the work undertaken in this project, the following general recommendations are presented as a means of improving health and safety in relation to electricity-related accidents:

1. The key areas where significant numbers of electricity-related accidents are being reported, electric fitters working in the electrical installation and construction industries, need to be addressed with targeted interventions.

2. Whilst accidents resulting from contact with electricity give rise to the most significant risk impact in terms of cost to Great Britain, they are not the most frequently occurring. Slips, trip, low and high falls, and handling / sprain injuries also feature. The risks associated with these accidents should be addressed in conjunction with those risks associated with contact with electricity.

5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE WORK

1. Consideration should be given to developing a comprehensive evidence base for the key areas, including building risk registers. Supporting evidence could be obtained from a variety of sources including workshop findings, research reports, notifier comments, investigation reports and workshops. This evidence base will provide HSE with the means to develop prioritised interventions supported by a full audit trail.

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6. REFERENCES

1 Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: Revitalising Health and Safety – strategy statement – June 2000, DETR, July 2000.

2 Health and Safety Executive: Electrical Safety and You, INDG231, 1998.

3 Health and Safety Executive: The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, RIDDOR, SI No 3163, HMSO, 1995.

4 BOMEL Limited. Improving Health and Safety in Construction Phase 2 – Volume 2: RIDDOR Accident Data Analysis Tool, HSE Research Report 232, June 2004.

5 Health and Safety Executive: Guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, HSE Books, 1996.

6 Health and Safety Executive: FOCUS Data Handbook, Version 2.0, undated.

7 Health and Safety Executive: Contact Centre Coding Guidance, Version 1.1, April 2001.

8 BOMEL Limited: The development of an evidence base to reduce the risk of Workplace Transport accidents, HSE Research Report, (awaiting publication 2004).

9 Health and Safety Executive: The costs to Britain of workplace accidents and work-place ill-health in 1995/96, Second edition, HSE Books, 1999, ISBN 0 7176 1709 2.

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APPENDIX A

OTHER ELECTRICITY-RELATED ISSUES FACTORS

A1

A2

A. OTHER ELECTRICITY-RELATED ISSUES

A.1 INTRODUCTION

This Appendix contains a summary of the results found from investigations into other electricity-related issues raised by HSE outside the scope of the main project.

A.2 CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY OCCURRING IN HOSPITALS

The question was raised by HSE as to the prevalence of accidents involving contact with electricity by external contractors working in hospitals. Searches of the notifier comments and investigation summary reports within the electricity-related accident data set identified ten accidents. These have been assigned a ‘switch’ in the Electricity RIDDOR Report Tool to facilitate further investigation.

A.3 CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY OCCURRING IN RELATION TO CONTROL SYSTEMS IN LOCAL AUTHORITY ENFORCED INDUSTRIES

The question was raised by HSE as to the prevalence of accidents involving contact with electricity in relation to control systems in local authority-enforced sectors. Searches of the notifier comments and investigation summary reports within the electricity-related accident data set identified five accidents. These have been assigned a ‘switch’ in the Electricity RIDDOR Report Tool to facilitate further investigation..

A.4 CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY OCCURRING IN PRIMARY FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES IN EAST ANGLIA

The question was raised by HSE as to the prevalence of accidents involving contact with electricity in relation primary food processing industries in East Anglia. Searches of the notifier comments and investigation summary reports within the electricity-related accident data set identified no relevant accidents.

A.5 ELECTRICITY-RELATED ACCIDENTS INVOLVING EXPLOSIONS

The question was raised by HSE as to the prevalence of electricity-related accidents involving explosions. Searches of the notifier comments and investigation summary reports within the electricity-related accident data set identified 239 relevant accidents. These have been assigned a ‘switch’ in the Electricity RIDDOR Report Tool to facilitate further investigation.

A3

Published by the Health and Safety Executive 01/10

Executive Health and Safety

Identifying the incidence of electricity-related accidents in Great Britain This report describes a pan-industry study into the risks associated with electricity-related accidents. This report forms a preliminary evidence base.

A data set has been built containing accidents involving people working with or around electricity. This set contains 57,000 accidents reported under RIDDOR between 1996/97 and 2002/03. This data has been incorporated into the Electricity RIDDOR Report Tool, and is used to provide an insight into the key risks where future risk controls may best be targeted, and a baseline from which future improvements may be measured.

The largest number of electricity-related accidents is reported in the electrical installation and construction industries. Electrical fitters have been involved in significantly more electricity-related accidents than other occupations.

Handling/sprains and trips are reported most frequently. Low falls, being struck by falling objects and high falls also feature highly. Accidents involving contact with electricity are the fourth most frequently reported accident kind. Contact with electricity is the most significant source of fatal injury accidents in this data set; being involved in more fatal injury accidents than the other accident kinds combined. These contact accidents involved a number of agents including plant, domestic appliances and underground cables.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.

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