The paper industrys accident rate fell by 30% last year following improvements in safety measures and working conditions.


The industry bucked the trend revealed by a Health and Safety Commission report that said the number of deaths from workplace accidents rose by 34% in the last 12 months.
There were 295 fatalities as a result of industrial accidents, the worst figures for a decade, compared with 200 in the previous year.


Although the decrease is good for the paper industry, there are still some mills that are performing badly, said Mike Wilcock, head of the HSEs paper and printing national interest group.


He said figures had improved due to the work of the Paper and Board Industry Advisory Committee (PABIAC).
The initiative was launched in 1998 and set a target for the industry of a 50% fall in accident rates by March 2001.
l Leeds and Central Yorkshire GPMU is educating its 400 members in paper mills about health and safety dangers by launching special courses.


They will look at health issues and action plans as part of a life-long learning initiative that may attract government funds.
Many mills have improved but some pay lip service to proper risk assessments, said branch officer John Goodrich. Courses are due to start in the autumn.


Story by Andy Scott