How building industry employers can reduce the risks of accidents

Raising awareness of everyday risks in the workplace

With the government’s Revitalising Health and Safety initiative underway, personal injury specialists Johnson Law are working to raise awareness of the everyday risks within the workplace, and offer advice on how employers reduce the risks to staff.

They have produced this infographic which highlights some interesting facts surrounding workplace safety.

It shows that in 2012/13, 148 people were fatally injured at work, while a further 423 members of the public were also fatally injured in accidents connected to work.

While workplace deaths are rare, injuries occur every day, and due to the nature of the building industry, those in it are at particular risk.

In fact, a quarter of all workplace deaths happen in the construction industry – a staggering statistic considering that only 5 per cent of the population works in construction.

The most common causes of injuries include:

• Trips/slips or falls
• Electrical incidents
• Manual lifting

Such incidents can lead to serious back, head and neck injuries. Less common, but still a risk on site, are hearing problems and vibration white finger.

In the UK, 2million people believe that their current or a previous job has caused or exacerbated an illness. The cost of this runs into billions of pounds and millions of lost working days.

To help protect your workforce from accidents you should take the following preventative steps:

• Evaluate the potential risks at work and identify individuals at risk
• Consider the severity and likelihood of risks and address them in order of priority
• Implement a safety plan, communicate it to staff and ensure it is always up to date
• Make sure you report any accidents, work-related diseases and dangerous incidents to the Health and Safety Executive or local authority.

Workplace injury and illness cases prosecuted by HSE

In 2010, 551 workplace injury and illness cases were prosecuted by the HSE in England and Wales. By taking these steps you can protect your workforce from harm, and yourself from legal action.

If as an employee you feel that your health or safety are at risk you should raise the issue with your employer. They have a duty to take action that will protect you.

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29-31 Knowsley Street,
Bolton,
United Kingdom,
BL1 2AS

Phone: 0800 130 0699
Fax: 01204 520 777

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