In a perfect world, workplaces would be perfectly safe environments, where workers are free to go about their business, secure in the knowledge that they’ll always be safe and protected, without even the faintest risk of injury.
But unfortunately, despite the immense amount of progress that health and safety in the workplace has had in the past 30 years, injuries still happen, albeit in lower numbers overall. So, without any further ado, let’s discuss the most common causes of these workplace injuries in the UK, and take a look at how we can prevent them.
Falls
Falls, either from trips, slips, or heights, are the most common cause of both non-fatal and fatal workplace injuries in the UK. Primarily because they can happen in just about every type of environment, whether you work in a corporate office or a construction site, falls can happen due to hazardous conditions that are poorly signposted, like wet floors, poor lighting, or cluttered walkways, or simply because of accidents.
But how can we lower the number of falls? Well, employers need to be more vigilant about displaying the proper signage, cleaning up spills and obstructions, and making sure that employees are wearing the correct footwear.
Manual Lifting and Handling
When people lift heavy objects either without using the correct lifting techniques or without proper support, they’re putting themselves at risk of all sorts of injuries, like muscular strains, tears, and spinal issues.
Carrying these heavy loads and bending the back at the wrong time can often be enough to put unnecessary stress on your knees, spine and other areas of your back. To prevent these injuries, employers need to provide health and safety training that educates workers about safe lifting techniques:
- Plan the lift
- Make sure you have a firm footing
- Bend the knees prior to lifting the load
- Grip the load close to the body during the movement
Furthermore, companies can reduce the number of manual handling injuries by investing more in machinery and mechanical aids, thereby creating a safer workplace environment.
Struck By a Moving Object
Being struck by moving objects is particularly common in labour-focused jobs, like construction, but that doesn’t mean office workers are unaffected. Falling filing cabinets and cuts from scissors, cardboard and paper are all common causes in corporate settings. Accidents like tools falling from heights, heavy machinery malfunctions, and collisions with moving equipment plague work sites all over the world.
These workplaces would be safe if workers wore the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and were given regular safety training. If they weren’t, and you or a colleague has experienced a life-changing injury as a result, then you must seek legal representation that specialises in personal injury claims, like Bond Turner.
Closing Thoughts
Although the number of workplace injuries has been on a downward trend over the past thirty or so years, it’s worth pointing out that the annual figures are now starting to plateau. And with these figures still in the thousands, we need to ask ourselves what we can do to have more impact.
Delivering the correct training, displaying the proper signage, and providing the best PPE available on a consistent basis are all positive steps that companies can take to make a positive impact.
