The SIMPLC (Safety in Manufacturing Plastics and Composites) initiative to improve health and safety in the plastics and composites industries was launched in 2010. At the time, the plastics industry – in keeping with the rest of the manufacturing sector – had one of the highest rates of industrial injuries.
Over the 11 years since its launch, a wealth of information and tools have been made available to industry via the supporting trade associations. In the past 3 years there has been a notable decrease in the number of accidents but there is still work to do, so a fourth three-year SIMPLC strategy has been developed and launched.
This new strategy, supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), will run from 2022 to 2025. It brings together all parts of the industry including trade organizations and unions in a bid to stimulate progress on accident and ill-health reduction by helping to embed a health and safety culture within businesses. The new strategy incorporates an increased focus on mental health and workplace stress.
Individual companies are invited to sign a pledge to demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and safety record of the industry as a whole. In return, SIMPLC will continue to help employers achieve what they identify as health and safety priorities for their individual business.
Scott Wynne, HM Inspector of Health and Safety, HSE says “The updated strategy recognises and builds upon work started under previous SIMPLC strategies and supports the commitment of the plastics and composites manufacturing industries to the principles set out in HSE’s strategy Helping Great Britain work well, also HSE’s Health priority plans, its Work Right campaign and its sector plan for health and safety in manufacturing.”
The participating trade associations and other supporting organisations have updated their action plans to help their members achieve long-term improvements. Accident reporting will be maintained through these organisations each year, the results of which will enable yearly reduction targets to be set.
The participating organisations are:
- British Plastics Federation
- City of Wolverhampton College – Polymer Training and Innovation Centre
- Composites UK (Committee Chair)
- Glass and Glazing Federation
- GMB
- Health and Safety Executive
- Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association
- Unite
For more information on the SIMPLC initiative, and the associated three-year action plan for the Composites Industry, visit our SIMPLC page.