Injuries in the Workplace
Unfortunately, workplace accidents and injuries at work are a common occurrence. In 2014/2015, there were 611,000 injuries occurring in the workplace and 27.3 million working days were lost due to injuries and illnesses sustained in the workplace.
Therefore, it’s important that employers and employees identify risks and prevent these workplace accidents occurring where possible.
Prevention
As an employee, you should follow any health and safety guidelines that are in place and report any dangerous practices you witness.
Employers have a duty to implement the correct health and safety measures to protect staff and visitors from experiencing a workplace accident. There are many examples of what these health and safety measures may be, but common ones include:
- Policies outlining health and safety procedures
- A designated health and safety representative
- Educate staff regarding expectations and encourage feedback
- Listen to staff concerns regarding safety and act on these concerns where possible especially if shortcuts are being carried out or unsafe practices are witnessed
- Regular, scheduled health and safety inspections. Repairs should be carried out as soon as possible
- Have the right tools and equipment in place to ensure staff don’t have to act unsafely to carry out a task
- The correct protective clothing available to staff working in certain environments such as hard hats, hi-vis jackets, eye goggles etc. (read more on our Injury Guide to Personal Protective Equipment)
- Relevant training for all staff and new employees
- Correct fire equipment and train staff on how and when to use it
- First aid kits available and first aid representatives known to staff
- Clear entrances and exits
- Visible safety signs and instructions where applicable
We all have a duty to observe health and safety procedures in the workplace and act where possible. This may include cleaning up a spillage or reporting exposed wires and trip hazards for example. Employers may have a duty to regularly inspect premises and implement policies, but it is the employees who are the eyes and ears of the company on a daily basis.
Reporting an Injury
Incident reporting is a very important feature for reducing and preventing any future work accidents. Employers are bound by law to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) which requires by law the recording and reporting of certain injuries and accidents which often cause a short or long term inability for an employee to carry out their normal duties.
If you’ve incurred an injury at work that wasn’t your fault, these records may prove invaluable when making a work accident claim. The earlier the accident is recorded, the better chance of getting all the details necessary to make a claim for work accident compensation.
Have You Had a Workplace Injury?
If you’ve incurred an injury at work that wasn’t your fault, contact Injury Lawyers UK. Based in Folkestone and London, we have an experienced team on hand to assess any potential claim you have and advise whether a work accident compensation claim should be pursued.
We operate a no win, no fee policy so there is no financial risk as we would only require payment should we secure you compensation.
Contact us either by calling 0800 1123 156 or completing our quick and easy online claim form.
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