A need to reduce the level of accidents

Many organizations have driven the level of workplace and work-related accidents down to very low levels, but recent statistics suggest a current overall increase in accident levels. The number of injuries at work in the year to April 1997 has reached thehighest level since 1989/90 (seeTable 1.1). Fatality totals and rates rose, after falling for more than seven successive years and as can be seen in Table 1.2, major injuries more than doubled 

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Source Health and Safety Commission (1997) Plan of Work 1997198 and Health and Safety Commission (1996) Annual Report 1995/96 

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It is our contention that current safety systems are not, despite the good intentions behind them, producing the required results. These systems often encourage the wrong behaviour in those who are likely to be the victims 

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