FEM releases accident stats for construction industry

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Deon Bester, occupational health and safety manager at the Master Builders Association of the Western Cape (MBAWC), says, “The rate of accidents in the construction industry still remain unacceptably high.”

Western Cape, highest accident frequency rate

In the Western Cape alone, the number of accidents that have taken place over the past five years has risen by an average of 12.00% year-on-year. Between 2011 and 2015 there were 18 deaths and 202 permanent disabilities resulting from accidents. Furthermore, 29,671 man hours were lost and the average cost per accident stood at R17 532,20.

He continues, “The Western Cape remains one of the provinces with the highest accident frequency rate. At a current rate of 3.7%, versus the national average of 2.67%, we are 28% worse than the average. In other words, we have 28% more accidents per 100 people employed in the construction industry. Whilst this is a very high variation, figures would indicate that we have less severe accidents based on the average cost of an accident. The current national average is R27,244 per accident whilst we are at R 15,813 per accident - 42% less.”

Improving employee skills

“In 2015, the Western Cape only had one fatality in 2015 compared with 12 in KwaZulu-Natal, 29 in the Gauteng region, 11 in the Free State, three in the Eastern Cape and five in the Northern Boland. Undoubtedly, one fatality is one too many and we should be striving for zero fatalities and zero harm - a target we believe is achievable,” states the occupational health and safety manager.

To achieve this target, he suggests improving the skills of employees in the industry, providing proper training for employees and arranging adequate supervision. He also advises using the correct, quality tools for the job and utilising proper fall prevention equipment. In addition, Bester recommends regular drug screening and alcohol testing. “These are just a few of the basic interventions required,” shares Bester.

“The construction industry, from large corporates to small sub-contractors, needs to take ownership of health and safety. Good health and safety practices in the workplace must be as important as ensuring turnover and providing a quality product and service on time to the end user. Only once health and safety carries the same weight as cost, quality and time will we see a reduction in accidents in the industry,” concludes Bester.