New Version For Industry Updates And Expands On Previous Information

Workplace injury experts at Irwin Mitchell have welcomed revised guidance published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for those involved in the sawmilling industry.

Launched at the end of May, the new guidance has been created to update and expand on the original information published by the organisation around 15 years ago

One of the fundamental reasons behind the move has been to take into account changes across the sector, including the increasing use of automation and concerns over an increase in injuries caused by operator interventions.

According to the HSE, while significant improvements have been made in the industry, the major injury rate remains two and a half times higher than that in general manufacturing.

Louise Scott, a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office who represents those seriously injured in accidents at work, said: “The statistics say it all in terms of sawmilling being one of the most high-risk industries in terms of risk of serious injury.

“However, we are hopeful that this new information will help to ensure that health and safety continues to evolve in line with changes in the technology which firms make use of.

“In turn, this will no doubt prove fundamental in spreading the safety message and helping to reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths in the sector in the near future.”