Accidents in the workplace are not unusual, but many can be easily avoided. Here’s a look at the most common accidents which occur at work and how your company can avoid them:
Trips and slips
Nearly a third of workplace injuries in the UK happen following a slip or trip. In the majority of these cases, the slip or fall has been down to wet flooring or generally poor housekeeping – both of which can be avoided through careful signage and thorough premises upkeep. Employers should make sure that all floor surfaces are suitable and well kept, with:
- Worn flooring replaced when needed
- Icy conditions cleared or gritted as soon as possible
- Adequate railing and lighting installed along all walkways
- Spillages or freshly cleaned surfaces clearly marked
Manual handling
Another third of workplace accidents have been reported following manual handling incidents – when someone has been pulling, carrying, lifting, lowering or restraining a product, object, person or animal. This sort of work can lead to strains, musculoskeletal problems and back disorders. Employers should always ensure their staff are:
- Not carrying heavy items over a long distance
- Not needing to twist, stoop or reach upwards
- Not carrying unpredictable or unstable loads
- Not lifting very heavy goods without the right equipment or machinery
- Allow adequate rest periods in between manual handling
- Trained and provided with clear health and safety instructions on safe lifting
Traffic accidents at work
In any workplace where a motorised vehicle is used, however big or small, traffic injury can occur. Common incidents arise when a vehicle knocks over a person or material/produce that in turn injures a person. Employers should:
- Make sure vehicles and pedestrians are segregated by distance or barriers
- Minimise the need for reversing
- Secure items to reduce falls from vehicles
- Ensure staff are properly trained in using said vehicles
Electrical injury
Unfortunately electric based injuries are also too frequent, with workers even losing their life every year due to an in-work shock. It’s not just electricians either, anyone who works with electrical equipment could be at risk. Electric burns are also common. To avoid these incidents, employers should:
- Carry out regular checks on all electrics
- Make sure staff are properly trained when using electrical equipment
- Give proper warnings of electric hazards
- Provide equipment which has safety cut out options