Keeping safe in the workplace is important for both employers and employees. We do however regularly see clients who have been injured at work as a result of a negligence or failures in their duty of care to employees. We have looked into the stats and tried to find the most common non-fatal accidents which occur. Unsurprisingly slips, trips and falls top the list.
Slips, trips and falls in the workplace are sometimes treated like a minor affair but according to figures under the Reporting of injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), they account for 33% of the most common workplace accidents. Another worrying statistic is that under this research, just over 51,000 incidents were reported by employers in 2020/21, however self-reporting by actual workers for the Labour Force Survey (by the Office of National Statistics) claims there were substantially more, 441,000 in fact.
Your employer must legally abide by laws governing Health and Safety at work and if they fail to do so, it would be exposing you to an unnecessary risk. Nearly a third of non-fatal slips trips and falls happen to someone walking on level ground, however 1 in 5 happen while handling, lifting, or carrying an object. It's important to know that you should receive proper training in this before you are asked to do it. 1 in 10 people injured have been struck by a moving object in the workplace and just 8% have been injured because of falling from a height.
If you find yourself in this situation you may be able to claim compensation. You can contact our specialist Personal Injury Solicitors free, who can advise you on your rights.
We're rated‘Excellent’What the law says
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires all employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone who might be affected by their work (as far as is reasonably practicable)
The Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 say that employers must protect their employees from hazards (including slip and trip risks) and where necessary take action to prevent them.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations) 1992 states that floors should be suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions. This means people should be able to move around safely.
You Have a Responsibility too
It’s not just your employer who has legal obligations while in the workplace. You do as well. Officially, you must take reasonable care of yourself and others who may be affected by your actions. You must comply with your employer’s arrangements for managing health and safety at all times. If you experience an accident or even a near miss, you must report it to your employer immediately as well as informing them of anything you consider to be a risk.
The Health and Safety Executive provides comprehensive advice about keeping you safe in the workplace. If you feel your employer is not doing all they can to protect you, you should speak to them directly in the first instance. If you’ve been involved in an accident in the workplace, this can have huge impact on your life and you may want to get some free initial advice from our team who specialise in accident at work claims.
Get in touch, today!
Fill in the form below to get in touch with one of our dedicated team members, or call our team today on: 0808 239 3227