Slips and Trips No Joke
26/5/2009
A total of 61 people died and more than 14,000 suffered serious injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall from height in British workplaces last year. These shocking statistics have prompted the launch of an awareness raising campaign from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Marcia Davies, HSE Head of the Injury Reduction Programme said "People often view slips, trips and falls as trivial incidents, even comical, but they are no joke to those who suffer major injuries, a lifetime of disability, time off work and in the worst cases, death. We want to raise awareness of how these incidents can happen and how they can be easily avoided taking common sense actions and precautions at little or no cost. If you spot a hazard in your workplace, deal with it, don't assume that somebody else will. The lives of workers and their families are shattered by the serious consequences of these types of accidents. Simple measures can make a positive difference to safety in the workplace."
Fatalities and serious injuries arising from slips, trips and fall incidents cost British society an estimated £700 million last year.
The campaign is targeted at seven sectors where there is prevelence of such injuries: food retail; catering and hospitality; food and drink manufacturing; building and plant maintenance; construction; healthcare and education, although the risks can occur in any workplace.
If you would like to know more about workplace accidents visit www.hse.gov.uk or if you have suffered a serious injury through a slip, trip or fall in the workplace and would like to talk to a specialist solicitor about whether you may be entitled to compensation, telephone us now on 0800 027 2557 or email us using our enquiry form.
