James Barrett, Chairman of the SSHSCC and Head of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Manufacturing Sector said, 'HSE has engaged with the shipbuilding and shiprepairing industries over a number of years through the SSHSCC as a way of raising awareness of the issues facing them. We now wish to see the industry agree collectively to set targets and implement practical measures to reduce the rate of accidents and ill health.

'Partnership is the key, not just with the HSE but through a sharing of best practice with each other and a collective resolve to realise the benefits, including financial, of improved health and safety performance.'

Brad Hicks, FSL's health, safety and environment manager added, 'FSL and VT Shipbuilding will lead a nationwide initiative to look more closely at two specific areas; work in confined spaces and slips, trips and falls.

Our role will be to take the lead in investigating the causes of such incidents to seek a common industry approach into reducing accidents in these areas.'

MJInformation No: 19433