Accidents in the Workplace: Are You At Risk?

Johnson Law INJURY LAWYER s E Accidents in the Workplace: ARE YOU AT RISK? Л While fatal injuries at work are, thankfully, rare occurrences, workplace accidents and illnesses affecting employees and members of the public happen everyday. As the government strives to reduce workplace injuries under the Revitalising Health and Safety initiative, Johnson Law take a look at the latest statistics on accidents in the workplace and how you can help to improve safety at your place of work. Fatal Injuries: 148 workers were fatally injured in 2012/13 423 members of the public fatally injured in accidents connected to work in 2012/13 Lost Days: Direct Costs: 2010 uq3 The direct cost to employers of these work-related sickness absence was £3.7bn. £1.5bn was paid out in compensation to those made ill or injured through work... In 2010, 27 million working days were lost: 1 22.7 million to work-related ill health 14.3 million due to workplace injury .and the government paid out a further £800m in industrial injuries benefit. Total Costs: The estimated overall cost These costs don't include the cost to the NHS and social to society was services of caring for those injured... ..nor the cost of other benefits paid out to those forced out of work as a result of their illness or injury. £13.4bn .and that's not to mention to cost to the worker and their family. 2million AAA The most common workplace injuries are: people believe that their current or previous job has resulted in illness or worsened Trips/slips or falls Electrical Manual a previous illness. incidents handling/lifting Others include: Less common injuries: 1: Sprains and strains 2: Back injury 3: Head injury 4: Neck injury 5: Repetitive Strain Injury 1: Occupational asthma 2: Deafness 3: Vibration white finger 4: Dermatitis The most dangerous industries: 29 50% 1/4 25 Agriculture Agriculture is riskiest profession in the UK. In 2012/13 there were 29 fatal injuries in this industry alone. Fishing Fishermen are 50 times more likely to suffer a fatal workplace accident. Construction Construction accounts for 4 of all workplace fatalities... yet just 5% of the country works in this industry. Lorry driving One in four fatal road accidents involve a working driver. Other risky professions... Circus acts Dangerous sports Private security War zone guards journalists 551 workplace injury and illness cases were prosecuted by HSE in England and Wales. In 2010... 05 workplace injury and illness cases were prosecuted by local authorities in England and Wales. 34 workplace injury and illness cases were prosecuted by the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland. 15,955 workplace injury and illness enforcement notices were issued by HSE and local authorities. Hazardous up North? Fatal injuries to workers 2012 Scotland (0.9*) tttttttttt Yorkshire (0.6) tttttttttt ttttt tt North East (0.2) tt North West (0.5) tttttttttt ttttt East Midlands (0.3) ttttttt West Midlands (0.6) tttttttttt tttt East (0.6) tttttttttt Wales (0.6) tttttttt London (0.3) tttttttttt ttt South West (0.5) tttttttttt tt South East (0.5) tttttttttt "per 100,000 High Low In the UK there are more than 4,500 cases of fatal asbestos-related health conditions each year. Step by step accident prevention 1 Identify hazards and individuals at risk Conduct an initial evaluation of potential risks in the workplace and the individuals who may be exposed to potential harm. Prioritise risks Consider the severity and probability of the identified hazards and the work required to remove the risk, and prioritise them in order of importance. Follow up with preventive measures Once you have decided on the appropriate steps to help reduce or eliminate the risks, take action by putting in place measures as dictated by your priority plan. 4 Regularly review your assessment To ensure your safety plan is always up to date, review it at regular intervals and make amendments whenever changes or unpredicted accidents occur. Report accidents Employers are obliged to report any serious work-related accident, diseases and dangerous incidents to the Health and Safety Executive or their local authority. Useful tips and advice Create a company handbook Use a handbook to set formal policies and outline the procedure for accident prevention. This should include how an employee reports an incident and useful information such as equipment instructions. Appoint a safety officer Put a team member in charge of workplace safety and work together on a plan which will ensure other staff members adhere to the safety handbook. Communicate your safety message Make sure the workforce are aware that their safety is a principle concern. You can do this through meetings, memo's and posters. But act on your words too Should an incident occur, practise what you preach by responding quickly and effectively. These things won't sort themselves out! Ask for suggestions Ground workers will be aware of hazards that senior staff members may not be. Ask if they have any suggestions for improving workplace safety. Johnson Law: Design: Bite Digital (www.biteus.net) http://www.johnson-law.co.uk Sources: https://osha.europa.eu/en/topics/accident_prevention/employers http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/pdf/fatalinjuries.pdf http://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace/tuc-18421-f0.pdf http://www.workplacesafetyadvice.co.uk/common-injuriescauses-accidents-work.html http://www.workplacehealthconnect.co.uk/accidents-at-work-top-7-facts-about-uk-work-accident-statistics/ http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/assessment/current-assessments/statistics-on-health-and-safety-at-work.html http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh1112.pdf http://www.northernalliance.co.uk/about-us/blog/the-uks-most-dangerous-jobs/ http://www.careerbuilder.co.uk/blog/2008/01/24/britains-most-dangerous-jobs-2/ http://thecareercafe.co.uk/blog/?p=7702 http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/dayslost.htm