EVERY 25 minutes, someone breaks or fractures a bone at work according to a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report.
In West Yorkshire this week HSE launched the ‘Shattered Lives’ campaign, to highlight the devastating consequences of simple slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
Last year in Yorkshire 4,466 people were injured, costing the region almost £77 million.
In West Yorkshire two people died, and 603 people suffered a major injury as result of a slip, trip or a fall in the workplace. Taking all injuries into account, the lives of 1,852 people were affected.
Introducing the campaign, HSE’s Head of Operations in Yorkshire, Geoff Cox said: “Slips, trips and falls can be viewed as being minor, funny accidents but the effects are not. It can lead to major injuries, a lifetime of disability or time off work and, in worst cases, fatalities.
“Slips, trips and falls also shatter businesses through costs such as employee absence, sick pay and reduced productivity.”
Huddersfield-based tool company Speedy Hire has issued a list of tips to coincide with Shattered Lives.
Pointers include keeping floors clean and dry, reporting spills, keeping areas well lit and gangways free from cables.
Mark Turnbull of Speedy Hire said: “The good news is accidents from slips, trips and falls are amongst the easiest to prevent.”
HSE’s Shattered Lives campaign offers support to employers and employees in the construction, building and plant maintenance and food manufacturing and retail industries where the incidence of slips, trips and falls is highest.
For further information visit www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/index.htm or call InfoLine on 0845 3450055.
