Wire safety drive is a success

A union-backed campaign to reduce accidents in the wire manufacturing industry has exceeded expectations in its first year.

The Live Wire! campaign was launched in 2006 by the employers’ association UK Steel, steel workers’ union Community, the Unite general union and the Health and Safety Executive.

Statistics published last month reveal that in 2007 it easily surpassed its target of a 10% reduction in accidents: the total number of accidents was more than 17% lower than in 2006, and accidents resulting in staff taking at least three days off work were down by nearly 15%.

In the nine wire-producing companies that signed up to the campaign, five sites reported reductions of 30%.

The campaign — described by Community health and safety officer Rob Sneddon as “the first step in making the industry a safer place to work” — has included quarterly events, monthly training workshops, the publication of a league table of statistics and the sharing of best practice. Particular emphasis has been placed on involving workers at every level, right down to the shop floor.

“We are absolutely delighted with the response from the local trade union reps,” said Sneddon. “The reduction in accidents adds credence to the figures that workers are 50% less likely to have an accident in a workplace where there is a recognised trade union.”