Risk news

Scottish businesses and organisations have been advised to take advantage of simple and cost-effective measures to reduce the number of slips, trips and falls (STFs) in the workplace.

Incidents of these types cost firms in Glasgow a minimum of 1,344 working days in 2008-09, while Edinburgh-based companies lost at least 777 days over the same period.

Across the whole of the country, STFs resulted in five fatalities and 1,405 major injuries, with 2,742 workers having to take more than three days off, according to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures.

HSE Scotland director Paul Stollard said this data highlights "the very real and serious nature of preventable STF incidents in the workplace".

The regulatory body recommended firms access its Shattered Lives campaign website to view a range of tips designed to reduce the number of STFs.

"Making improvements need not cost the earth," Mr Stollard added.

This is particularly important given that these incidents cost British society around £800 million per year.

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