The research was part of a three-year initiative co-ordinated by the Health and Safety Commissions Paper and Board Industry Advisory Committee (PABIAC), and partnered by the Paper Federation and the GPMU (PrintWeek, 24 August 2001).

"One key to the success of this initiative is that we have top-level management commitment from within the industry, which is encouraging," said PABIAC chairman Andrew Porter.

The Paper Federations director of external affairs, Kathy Bradley, endorsed this factor: "The reduction has been achieved through a major commitment from the chief executives, and also co-operation between the unions, to ensure a 100% effort," she said.

Although the reduction over the three years fell short of the industrys target of 50%, Porter felt it was still a good achievement.

But GPMU national health and safety advisor Bud Hudspith said there was still work to be done.

"We are proud of what PABIAC has achieved, but we are only half way," he said. "We wont be satisfied until we get the paper industry down to the manufacturing industry level of 50%."

Greenstreet Berman carried out the research on behalf of the HSE.

The three-year PABIAC initiative has been succeeded by PABIACTION, a new three-year plan that is more tailored to individual companies performance.

Story by Andy Scott