HSE campaign
| Published: 29th February 2008 11:05 |
Are accidents in your workplace occuring regularly? Does your company have the required health and safety policies and procedures? Do you know if detailed risk assessments have been carried out? Read this article from the HSE and see if you need to improve - remember the cut fingure today is a severed finger tomorrow if you do not take action to prevent the cuts.
Site Editor
Health and Safety Executive (East Midlands)
(HSE) 'Shattered Lives' could affect you, says HSE
Every 25 minutes, someone breaks or fractures a bone at work according to the latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This week in Nottingham HSE launches the 'Shattered Lives' campaign to highlight the devastating consequences of simple slips, trips and falls in the workplace. In Nottinghamshire one person died last year and 277 were seriously injured.
The figures are alarming - every week, one person dies from a slip, trip or fall at work and the serious injuries from slips, trips and falls make up almost a third of all injuries reported to the HSE.
To introduce the Shattered Lives campaign, Nottingham HSE Inspector Sian Tiernan and Angela Clark, Health and Safety Inspector for Nottingham City Council, were at the kitchens of Jury's Inn on London Road in Nottingham. Catering is one of the most common industries for slips, trips and falls and Jury's Inn were keen to raise awareness of the consequences to others within the catering industry.
Introducing the 'Shattered Lives' campaign, Sian Tiernan, HSE Inspector for Nottinghamshire said:
"Each year slips, trips and falls cost the British society nearly £811 million pounds. But what these figures don't reflect, is the extent to which these injuries affect individual workers and their families.
"Slips, trips and falls can be viewed as being minor, funny accidents but the effects are not. It can lead to major injuries, and a lifetime of disability or time off work and in worst cases fatalities. 'Shattered Lives' will encourage people to change their attitudes: if you spot a hazard, don't assume 'somebody else will sort it out'.
"Slips, trips and falls also shatter businesses through costs such as employee absence, sick pay and reduced productivity. Irrespective of the size of the business and the job that you do, it could happen to you."
Angela Clark, Health and Safety Inspector for Nottingham City Council said:
"There are lots of ways for people to reduce slips, trips and falls in the workplace. Everyone has a part to play from the people who manage the staff to the people working for the company. Employers should ensure they put an effective management system in place, carry out regular risk assessments and make sure they are aware of the relevant laws and regulations. Staff need to be fully aware of the consequences of slips, trips and falls and be aware that their actions could make the difference between someone getting injured or not. So if you see a spillage - clean it up. Don't leave it till someone slips on it. The figures for major injuries in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are high so we're keen to back the Shattered Lives campaign and help to reduce these numbers."
John Murphy, General Manager of Jury's Inn, Nottingham, said:
"We were keen to join the HSE in introducing their Shattered Lives Campaign. Simple steps can reduce the chance for slips, trips and falls in the workplace and we're keen that other organisations follow our lead. Here at Jury's Inn we aim to ensure any spilt liquids are quickly cleaned up and encourage staff to report any problems with the flooring. We also ensure all staff are aware of the importance of reducing slipping and tripping hazards."
HSE's Shattered Lives campaign will offer support and guidance to employers and employees in the construction, building and plant maintenance and food manufacturing and retail industries where the incidence of injuries resulting from slips, trips and falls is highest.
For more information on the 'Shattered Lives' campaign please visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/index.htm
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