ACCIDENTS cost West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) more than £240,000 in 2014/15, despite the number of incidents falling to a 15-year low, a new report has revealed.

A total of 152 accidents, ranging from minor falls to being exposed to explosions, were recorded by the authority in the year ending March 31, down 18 per cent from 185 in 2013/14.

Despite the decrease, the number of legal claims made against the authority over the 12-month period rose from nine to 17, with litigation fees hitting £202,416, up from £56,190 in 2013/14.

The figures are included in the authority's Accident Analysis 2014/15 report which was being discussed by the fire authority's human resources committee today.

The report indicates that accidents cost the authority £240,844 in 2014/15, up 137 per cent from £101,417 the previous year.

'Minor' incidents accounted for 97 of the recorded accidents, an annual reduction of 16, whereas 55 were classed as 'major' issues, down by 17 from the previous year.

The number of working days lost due to accidents fell 40 per cent from 471 in 2013/14 to 355 last year, saving the authority more than £7,000.

The report states: "The number of accidents have cost £240,844. This compares to £101,416 in 2013/14.

"Within this figure is a significant reduction in days lost to sickness, however, litigation costs have increased significantly, not only in the value of reserve, but the number of individual claims being made."

A WYFRS spokesman said: "It is important to note that only about a third of the £202,416 costs identified in the human resources committee report are settled claims.

"The other two thirds are reserves, some of which will be required, some will not.

"The fire service has insurance to cover these losses."

The most common types of accidents reported were slips, trips, and falls, muscular injuries, and being struck by flying or falling objects.

Employees also suffered exposure injuries, such as burns and scalds while undergoing breathing apparatus training, and contact injuries, including injuries caused by sharp objects such as broken glass.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Rhodes said: "There has been a decrease of 33 in the number of accidents, which continues the overall downward trend and represents an 18 per cent reduction on last year’s figures.

"This is the lowest number of accidents recorded in the last 15 years.

“This is a result of proactive health and safety management, both within the Occupational Health and Safety Unit and among firefighters and all employees.

"It is encouraging to see that everybody is working hard to reduce and avoid accidents occurring."