Risk news

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a campaign to reduce the number of slips, trips and falls in the UK as it has revealed statistics showing that they are the most common cause of major injuries in British workplaces.

It costs society - including businesses - an estimated £800 million every year, while more workplace deaths are a result of falls from height than other incidents.

As such, a new phase of the HSE's Shattered Lives campaign has been launched and will target those sectors where a high number of slips, trips and falls occur.

These include education, building and plant maintenance, construction, food manufacturing and hospitality.

Last year, there were 1,396 major injuries to workers across the West Midlands, with 3,044 employees having to take more than three days off work as a result. However, there were no deaths in the region in 2009.

Commenting on the figures, Rosi Edwards, HSE West Midlands regional director, said incidents involving slips, trips and falls are preventable and making workplace improvements need not be expensive.

Proper risk assessments and control measures need to be put in place by employers to minimise the risk of such accidents from occurring.

Aviva Risk Management Solutions (ARMS) offers in-company and one-day training courses to further the knowledge and understanding of employers about effective risk management.

Kevin Chicken, training and consultancy manager at ARMS, said: "All slips, trips and falls can be prevented by undertaking appropriate risk assessments and implementing pragmatic cost effective solutions.

"Fundamental to this success is the need to engage employees so they take control of their own safety and that they fully understand what control measures need to be used."

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