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Posted By peter_s
Hi
has anyone got data or rationale for an increase in accident rates in the workplace over summer months?
I'm wondering if this actually exists and if so, is there any scientific explanation, or if anyone has encountered this in their experience.
Without wishing to sound ungrateful, I'm keen that this thread doesn't turn into a "summer lifestyle" thread - you know, cook your barbecue food thoroughly, use sunscreen etc. etc.)
cheers
Peter
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Posted By Sean Warburton
We do,
Very strange isn't it, whilst the volumes may differ year on year, the peaks and dips seem to be consistent, with highs traditionally around the May/June period (a busy period)and the lows at Christmas (also a busy period). I wish i knew the answer to this one and will follow the thread closely.
Sean
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Posted By Steve Derby
Do accident rates increase during the summer, if so across any or all sectors?
I've not come across this. There is (thankfully) a lack of data from my current employment and at my previous employer we used running averages.
If it exists I've a few throw-away ideas:
Increased (occasionally high!) temperatures causing concentration problems?
Increasing allergies (hay fever)leading to the same
Unquantified use of antihystamines for allergies causing drowsiness?
I too would be interested to know if accident rates are higher in summer, if so across which industries and is it on the increase?
Sorry, more questions than answers
Steve
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Posted By D H
Interesting thread!
Do you statistical data at hand to back up these trends? I would be interested to see it if I may.
First thoughts are that the daylight hours are extended and maybe overtime working is encouraged or requested?
People are maybe spending time on outdoor pursuits that may - to the unfit persons - be having an affect on their work next day?
Could be that people are more prone to pulling a sickie when the sun is shining? ( NO that never happens!!)
I too will watch this thread with interest.
Dave
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Posted By peter_s
Thanks for the response D H,
I don't really have a lot of stats - first aid cases only but they seem to occur around January (return to work) and summer - similar to the earlier response from Sean.
Essentially they are not 'statistically significant' (not enough data) - but just a pattern I can see.
Peter
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Posted By Sean Warburton
peter_s,
Give me you email, i will send you my stats.
Sean :)
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Posted By Chris Reynolds
Good forum, and 'hot' topic !
I know I've had experience in certain fields one in particular springs to mind, Agriculture and Land Technology is certainly one of them as they tend to employ seasonal cheap labour in the Summer months.
I would hazard a guess as it may also coincidently be the time of year as School College and Uni leavers start work....
I'll keep watching with keen interest...
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Posted By Haggis JM
Statistically March & August for this site are the months with the highest reported incidents, be they H & S, Environmental, or near-misses.
I've always put the August one down to reduced labour force as many people are on holiday, so possibly greater pressure on remaining staff.
Not quite sure about the March one though...
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Posted By Son of SkyWalker
Employees take holidays and the same amount of work may still have to get done by the unlucky ones left to keep things going. This could lead to increased pressure, increased stress and increased accidents (and violent / aggressive incidents).
The Fair Fortnight in Glasgow makes a lot more sense now. Close the whole business and let everyone go on holiday. No increased pressure, stress or accidents.
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Posted By Raymond Rapp
Peter
Some years ago the same phenomenon was raised during a h&s meeting. A senior manager questioned why LTAs increased during the months of June/July. I retorted 'it might be something to do with the World Cup.' I think his reply was something to the effect 'don't be cynical Ray.'
Ray
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Posted By w.j. jones
Peter
One reason I do have experience of is a nice hot summer leading to some people thinking this represents another xxx amount of holidays [particularly if sick pay is paid in full etc] and occassionally inventing the "back strain" or "pulled muscle", obviously I have no national or local stats to help the question, but i have no doubt it is a factor.
Regards
Wayne
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Posted By Colin Reeves
Interesting thread - but regret in my workplace the statistics do not show this!
2007 - Highest rate in Feb / Apr and Oct with lowest Sept / Jan and July.
In 2006 the highest in jan, June and August, with lowest evenly spread (same level in 7 months!)
No apparent seasonal trend.
As a general comment I would suggest that in many industries, especially working outside, accidents should be expected to be higher in winter (bad road surfaces, high winds etc)
Colin
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Posted By jayjay
Peter
Going off your subject a little bit, but i had a similiar experience years ago where the company i worked for seemed to have accidents nearly every Friday. It seemed this was the case because it was 'job and knock' therefore peoples minds were on other things such as getting down the pub early, seeing their girlfriends etc or just going out with their mates. So it was a distraction from work. So i wonder besides your stats for 'summer spikes' i wonder what would be the stats for Friday accidents. Sorry to hijack your thread a tad but just curious.
Regards, JJ
P.S Off down the pub :-)
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Posted By peter_s
Thanks all for your input, you've definately given me food for thought.
Peter
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Posted By Tabs
There might be another couple of factors:
1) a lunchtime thirst quencher down the pub
2) higher temps tend to lead to drowsiness and hightened relaxation and exhaustion.
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Posted By Mitch
PPE not used correctly due to high temperatures?
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Posted By Sean Warburton
Good point for many of the others following the thread, however our plant is a butchery plant and is temperature controlled at around 10-12c all year round so doesn't fluctuate regardless of external temperature. A strange one i must admit.
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Posted By Mitch
Sean,
Are they on productivity bonus or overtime pay Xmas 'bull' month/week?
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Posted By Glyn Atkinson
We have seasonal trends, and funnily not much activity for the nurse directly before either of our fixed holiday periods, when people seem to pay more attention to safety in order not to miss their hols time !
Our highs are the month or so before the hols, when attention seems to drift, thinking about the hols !
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Posted By Sean Warburton
Mitch,
We work to a "per unit" bonus, however the line pace in controlled by management so operators can't run away with line speeds.
Sean
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