A new survey puts hvac workers near the top of the danger league and that is totally unacceptable, says Bob Towse, head of technical and safety at the HVCA
IT was something of a shock to learn that building services workers suffer more workplace accidents than almost any other profession.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reported that only those who worked in the woodworking trades suffered more fatal or major injuries in construction-related professions during 2004/5.

The HSE's Construction Statistics Report listed 304 injuries to members of the hvac trades which was higher even than roofers and cladders, who accounted for 132 fatal or major injuries between them.

There was some good news, however, because the overall fatality rate in construction is falling. There were still 71 deaths during 2004/5, which is the same as two years previously, but there are now more people working in the sector so the fatality rate of 3.4% per 100,000 workers is the lowest ever recorded.

However, this is a serious issue and has implications for all aspects of our businesses. At a time when we are trying to embrace the sustainability ethos, we are failing in this fundamental aspect.

The well being of people sits at the heart of the Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility agendas. It is no longer possible to regard construction work as taking place in a vacuum removed from social implications such as good neighbourliness and staff welfare.

We are making progress in these areas but the statistics above show just how far we have to go. The HSE is taking an increasing interest in construction methods like off-site fabrication, for example, because of its positive impact on accident rates. The cold financial statistics relating to people missing work through illness or injury should also help to focus the minds of business leaders.

Thanks to the insurance firm Axa we now know that absent staff cost UK firms a staggering £12.2 billion last year.

This is up from £11.6 billion the year before and includes the cost of paying staff who are not there, paying overtime and temporary staff to cover the missing people, and lost service or production time.

That is serious money and probably sits alongside the hated retentions in terms of impact on company cash flow and profitability. A truly sustainable industry is a safe one and a far more profitable one too.

For more information contact Bob Towse on 020 7313 4928 (btowse@hvca.org.uk).