Initiative 'Zaps' ECA accident rates

The Electrical Contractors Association's (ECA's) accident reduction efforts have achieved a drop of nearly half in the number of accident occurences which need to be reported, a source says.

Its Zero Accident Potential (Zap) initiative has also helped cut the number of major injuries by 60 per cent, CNPlus.co.uk reveals.

Paul Reeve, the ECA's health, safety and environmental manager, claims the creation of Zap was a voluntary decision undertaken by the electrical contractor community.

He says: "In 2001, they [our smaller members] were more focused on electrical safety than health and safety."

While he admits they took time to back the scheme, Mr Reeve tells the news provider the companies were won over by making the process as simple as possible.

The scheme initially focussed on reducing the hazards presented by asbestos and working at height, with accidents relating to the latter seeing a reduction of 40 per cent since Zap's adoption.

ECA was founded over a century ago and claims to be the largest trade association representing the industry.