Workplace Injury Statistics

There are many hazards to face in the workplace which is why it is vital as an employer to ensure that you have the correct mandatory signs prominently displayed, whether they be construction, fire, food preparation or no smoking signs.

Workplace injury statistics show that last year a huge 142 people died as a result of a workplace accident or injury. The farming and construction industries proved to be the most deadly, with manufacturing and waste recycling sectors also experiencing fatalities.

Fatalities are rare, however, there are a range of common injuries and accidents which happen across all business sectors. Manual handling, remaining seated for long periods of time and the use of harmful substances are reported as the most common workplace hazards.

In excess of 2 million workers believe that their place of occupation or a previous occupation has caused them to suffer an injury or has made a previous injury or illness worse.

Some of the most common types of accidents are:

• Trips and falls
• Electrical incidents
• Lifting and handling

Among the most reported injuries are:

• Sprains and strains
• Back injuries
• Head injuries
• Neck injuries
• Repetitive strain injuries

Items that are much less common as a result of the workplace are:

• Occupational asthma
• Deafness
• Dermatitis

With in excess of 6 million work days lost being attributed to workplace accidents, it is imperative that we try to avoid or at least limit them. Follow these workplace injury prevention tips:

• Making sure that your Health and Safety policy is communicated to your staff.
• Carry out risk assessments of any potential hazards in the workplace.
• Display mandatory signs as reminders to staff to ensure their safety.
• Action any known hazards promptly, and encourage staff to report them promptly too.
• Involve your staff and ask them for safety feedback and improvements they would like made.
• Ensure the working environment is both clean and comfortable with the right tool for the job provided.
• Ensure a fully stocked first aid box is on-site, along with a trained member of staff to manage the first aid.
• Maintain good fire safety standards by carrying out monthly fire checks.
• Keep all safety procedure up to date to remain within the law.

Thanks to the Health and Safety Executive it seems that most companies have their health and safety in order. In fact a statement from the department states:

“Over the past 20 years fatal injuries are becoming rarer in Britain’s workplaces.”

 

If you are looking for a resource for web accessibility when suffering with RSI, have a look at Dopa – a website that focuses on handwriting in the age of machines.

 

Do you have all the correct mandatory and no smoking signs displayed in your workplace? Do you know which signs you a required to display? If not chat to us in the comments.