The Confederation of Paper Industries’ (CPI) Recovered Paper Sector is pleased to announce it has seen a significant fall in the level of injuries reported by Member companies through 2007 in comparison to 2006.

• The CPI Recovered Paper Sector members’ overall injury rate for the twelve months of 2007 was 1832 per 100,000 employees, an 11% reduction against the 2006 figure.

• In terms of major injuries for the same period, the incidence rate fell to 51 per 100,000 employees against 234 per 100,000 employees for 2006, a 78% reduction. This figure represents only 1 reported major injury over 2007.

• These figures are much lower than the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE’s) reported statistics for the recycling of waste and scrap sector in general (sic code 37), which show an overall injury rate of 2779 per 100,000 employees and a major injury rate of 743 in 2006/07.

As part of its service to Members, CPI’s Recovered Paper Sector continues to provide a detailed programme on health and safety, working alongside HSE and other sectors under the umbrella of the Paper and Board Industry Advisory Committee (PABIAC).

PABIAC is about to launch a further strategic programme in 2008, which will set targets for the entire paper industry to further reduce accidents and improve health and safety provision through to 2011.  The Recovered Paper Sector will be an active partner in it’s implementation.

CPI Recovered Paper Sector Manager, Peter Seggie, commented: “The Sector is encouraged by the improvements displayed to date, but realises it has a long way to go before it achieves the manufacturing industry average. CPI Members have demonstrated a huge commitment and drive for improved health and safety standards, and this is reflected in the progress made so far. The waste industry rightly continues to be the focus of HSE attention, given the incidence rates reported in their statistics.”

Mr Seggie went on to say, “The Recovered Paper Sector works closely with HSE and other stakeholders through PABIAC, and has agreed robust targets within the new strategy. HSE has been supportive throughout the PABIAC process and has worked in partnership with CPI in driving improvement to its Members. CPI has supported this strategy with specific industry guidance and courses to deliver cross-functional training and development, and will continue this going forward.”

The CPI Recovered Paper Sector works alongside the other CPI Sector Bodies, the Independent Waste Paper Processors Association (IWPPA), and HSE on the development and implementation of agreed Health and Safety strategies.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Peter Seggie, Recovered Paper Sector Body Manager, on 07887 641481 or email pseggie@paper.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

• For additional information on the UK paper industry, in the first instance, please contact Catherine Waterfield, External Affairs Coordinator, on 01793 889612 or email cwaterfield@paper.org.uk. Alternatively, please visit: http://www.paper.org.uk.
  
  
• CPI is the voice of the paper industry in the UK, representing papermakers, tissue manufacturers, corrugated packaging producers and recovered paper merchants.
  
  
• The Recovered Paper Sector integrated and independent Recovered Paper Merchant Members manage around 67% of UK collected recovered paper.
  
  
• The Recovered Paper Sector Mill Members utilise around 75% of UK used recovered paper.