Major injury rates rise at food manufacturers
Over 850 staff at food manufacturers suffered major injuries in the workplace over the last year- a 6% rise in casualty levels compared to 2009-10, latest Health and Safety Executive statistics have revealed.
There were 238 major injuries per 100,000 workers in 2008-09- up on the 224 per 100,000 recorded in 2008-09.
Major injuries were defined as incidents that required hospitalisation such as broken bones, the HSE said
However, over 3 day absence injuries fell from 1,197 per 100,000 workers in 2008-09 to 1,165 injuries per 100,000 in 2009-10.
Overall injury rates in food and drink manufacture had now dropped 50% since 1991, the HSE stressed.
Fatal injuries had also halved in that period, officials added.
The overall injury rate for food and drink manufacture was 1404 injuries/100,000 workers.
The average for all GB manufacturing industries (including engineering, plastics, woodworking, printing etc.) was 772 injuries/100,000 workers.
