Workplace accidents and illnesses cause victims over a million days off work each year

The data, gathered from employer’s liability cases passed to solicitors from 2014 to 2016, reveals that accidents at work and industrial disease led to victims taking an average of 15 days off work.

At a national level, that equates to almost 1.3 million days off every year due to accidents and industrial disease in the workplace.

Yet according to a sample of over 1200 people polled by National Accident Helpline, almost half of those in work (49%) don’t feel they’ve had adequate health and safety training from their employer.

The data from National Accident Helpline also reveals the types of accidents, injuries and illnesses commonly occurring at work, with the top 10 recorded causes being slips, trips and falls, followed by repetitive strain injury, heavy lifting, accidents with machinery, attacks in the workplace, hearing loss, vibration white finger, asbestosis and lung injury, incorrect use of ladders, and dermatitis/skin disease.

Simon Trott, Managing Director at National Accident Helpline, said: “People come to us on a daily basis looking for support and guidance after a workplace accident, and unfortunately, in a number of cases, we can see that injury and harm could have been avoided.

“In our busy and hectic work environments, we want to encourage people to pay attention to the potential risks around them, so we can reduce avoidable workplace accidents, and look after a healthy and productive workforce.

“This World Day for Safety and Health at Work we want employees to feel empowered to raise any concerns they may have, and to be assured that their health and wellbeing should come first.

“For employers, it’s important to recognise the serious consequences to your business of potential workplace hazards. Investing the time in identifying and mitigating potential hazards within your workplace is critical to ensuring the health and wellbeing of your staff, and providing your workforce with the assurance that they are coming to work in a safe environment each day.”

To take action and put a stop to preventable accidents, National Accident Helpline has provided a simple checklist to get you started:

Take responsibility

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that employees must be actively involved in creating a safe and secure environment for work – your wellbeing at work should also be on your to-do list.

Know your policy

In order to do this, you need to know the process to follow where you work. Your employer must have a Health and Safety Policy, which will include written details of their health and safety practices – familiarise yourself with this so you can take any action needed.

Raise concerns

Another good idea is to find out who is your safety representative at work, and make sure they know about any concerns you have. This could cover how you sit at your desk, to any machinery you are required to operate.

Ask for training

Your employer must make sure you have had the relevant training, however according to a poll by National Accident Helpline, almost half of those in work (49%) don’t feel they’ve had adequate health and safety training from their employer – don’t be afraid to ask.

To find out more about Safety in the Workplace visit www.national-accident-helpline.co.uk/accident-claims/accidents-work/work-safety.html

World Safety and Health at Work Day

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has marked its World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28th April each year, since 2003. World Day is an international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work around the globe. For more details see the ILO website: www.ilo.org/safework/events/safeday/lang--en/index.htm