The number of accidents reported in the UK chemical logistics sector has fallen by almost 40 per cent, according to a report by the Chemical Business Association.
The CBA’s Logistics Index showed a fall in the number of accidents reportable under the provisions of the Reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations (RIDDOR) from 36 in 2008 to 22 in 2009. Of these, five accidents resulted in serious injury compared with two the year before.
This is the CBA’s fourth annual report covering members in chemical road haulage, warehousing, and tank farm operations. The index is based on data from 20 companies which in 2009 made nearly seven hundred thousand journeys to transport more than six million tonnes of chemicals.
The Lost Time Accident rate decreased to 0.44 from 0.56 in 2008. The LTA rate is the ratio of RIDDOR reportable accidents to 100,000 man-hours.
CBA logistics services members reported one transport incident in 2009. This figure combines RIDDOR reportable incidents with transport incidents at which the emergency services attended.
CBA Logistics services companies reported 24 enforcement actions in 2009 compared to 14 in 2008, including one conviction arising from a prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive for an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
One HSE improvement notice was issued under the COMAH regulations. Of the 22 prohibition notices issued in 2009, 13 were in respect of infringements of a minor nature that did not delay the vehicles’ journey and could be rectified later; nine required the infringement to be rectified immediately.
