Accidents at work
Anybody can have an accident at work and it can happen at anytime. In certain types of jobs, accidents can be more common than in others. For example, you'd be more likely to suffer burns or breathing problems from working with harmful materials than if you worked in an office.
Accidents do happen from time to time but it is the duty of your employer to reduce the risks as much as possible as a large number of accidents can often be put down to employer carelessness.
Some accidents do, however, happen more often than others in general.
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Slips and Trips
It has been reported that almost a 1/3 of the total of workplace accidents in the UK are the result of slips and trips. In a vast number of these instances, the accident has occurred in wet conditions and most trips are put down to bad housekeeping where material left on the floor, obstacle, bad weather and poor flooring have been the cause. A slip or trip can seem minor - in some cases, it can even be a source of humour to some but the reality is that they can result in broken bones, major fractures to limbs, head injuries and even death if the fall is from height.
Employers should take care to make sure:
- Flooring is suitable and worn or damaged flooring is replaced
- If ice is common outdoors, it is cleared and the area is gritted
- Trailing cables are hidden away
- Flooring is cleaned on a regular basis using the right cleaning materials
- There are satisfactory hand rails, guard rails and enough lighting in place
- Areas that are temporarily wet or slippery are clearly marked
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Manual Handling
Around a 1/3 of all workplace accidents reported to the Health & Safety, occur as a result of manual handling. The term is used to describe any movement that includes lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding an object, animal or person. Most of the injuries are to the back, although strains to hands, arms, feet, tendons and the heart are also reported.
Employers should take care to make sure that any carrying:
- Should not be over long distances
- Should not require extensive twisting, bending over or reaching upwards
- Should not require any demanding pushing or pulling
- Should not ask you to carry anything where load movements can be changeable, wobbly or difficult to take hold of.
- The work be done by heavy goods lifting equipment where possible
- Allows for plenty rest periods
- Provides health and safety training on good lifting practice
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Traffic Accidents in the workplace
Workplace traffic accidents occur not only in the usual places like warehouses with heavy goods vehicles, but in any place of work where people can come and go in motorised vehicles. Accidents include being struck by a moving vehicle, falling from, or materials falling from, a vehicle and the collapse or overturning of a vehicle are the most common
Employers should try to make sure:
- They separate pedestrians and vehicles either by barriers or distance
- Minimise reversing, bring in one-way systems if suitable
- Reduce the risks of falls from vehicles
- Anyone who works as drivers are properly trained
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Electrical Accidents
Ever year, some workers lose their lives as a result of electric shock in the workplace, not just those who work as electricians or with electrical equipment. Electrical burns are a common cause of injury.
Employers should ensure:
- All electrical equipment, appropriate for the job and well maintained
- Any body using electrical equipment are fully trained
- Proper warning is given of any electrical hazards
- They promote safe working practices
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Other Areas
The areas refer to are probably the main causes of the most common accidents in the workplace. However, other areas to be aware of include:
- Working with hazardous chemicals
- Working where fire is present
- Working with plant and heavy machinery
Accidents can never be predicted, both employers and employees have a duty to reduce the risks as much as possible. Employers are legally bound to carry out a full risk assessment of possible accidents that might occur in the workplace and to bring in preventative measures in their health and safety procedures. Employees also have a duty to understand their company's health and safety procedures fully and to pay due care and attention to their own actions in the workplace to reduce the possibility of accidents as much as possible.
If you think that the accident you have suffered could have been prevented then talk to our advisers on how to go ahead with your compensation claim by calling the freephone number at the top of the page or fill in the your details on the Start My Claim form on the left.
