The HSE have published the annual statistics for 2022-23 and there are some stark reminders that people are still suffering injuries or worse in the workplace.
For those of us that work hard to protect people at work one fact really stands out:
“Just three different accident kinds accounted for 60% of the fatal injuries to workers over the last five years. Falls from a height, being struck by moving vehicle and being struck by a moving, including flying/falling, object continue as the three main causes of fatal injury…”
It’s a sobering thought and hopefully one that will get us all looking at the hazards in our workplaces to ensure they are eliminated or properly mitigated.
So, what can you do NOW?
Let everyone in your workplace knows that accidents can and do happen – use the HSE facts to re-enforce your message.
Involve your teams in recognising the hazards – use the HSE facts as a prompt for an immediate, practical assessment.
Reconsider if you can eliminate any of the hazards in your workplace.
If you can’t, check your risk assessments are up to date and the safety measures in them are working in practice.
Creating a safe working environment doesn’t just prevent the shock and resulting trauma of an accident for the person concerned it also protects everyone else in your workplace.
It also contributes to a safer work force across the country, which ultimately saves time and money:
“35.2 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury. £20.7 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions.”