Food Manufacture - Programme of work 2007 - 2008

HSE's plan of work (for all GB industries) seeks to achieve by the end of 2007/8 (against a 2004/5 baseline):

• a 3% drop in the rate of work related fatal and major injuries
• a 6% drop in the rate of work-related ill health
• a 9% drop in days lost due to injuries and ill health.

These Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets reflect HSC/HSE's 'contract' with its overseeing body - the Department of Work and Pensions. The PSA embraces HSE's contribution to the delivery of the Government and HSC's Revitalising Health and Safety targets.

Since April 2005, to help achieve these targets, HSE has been concentrating on 'programmes' of work covering topics such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), slips/trips, transport, falls from height, noise/vibration, chemicals, stress and occupational health support. Each programme contains 'projects' tackling priority issues - for example, in the MSD programme one project has concentrated on preventing back injuries.

Food and drink manufacture

In food/drink manufacture, a number of the above-mentioned projects will require visiting HSE inspectors to look particularly at:

• MSD (particularly causes of back injuries)
• slips and trips
• workplace transport
• falls from height
• occupational asthma
• safeguarding packaging machines and conveyors

Other HSE projects will require inspectors to look at:

• noise
• work-related stress
• occupational dermatitis

At visits to food and drink manufacturers, HSE inspectors will be seeking to ensure that management systems are in place to address the above issues.

Additionally HSE's Food Section will be working with key stakeholders such as trade associations, trade unions and industry committees to promote good practice and make available general, industry specific and topic guidance.