H & S Test - Accidents & Consequences
Key annual figures 2008/09 (Source HSE)
- 1.2 million people who worked during the last year were suffering from an illness 180 workers were killed at work
- 131 895 other injuries to employees were reported under RIDDOR
- 246 000 reportable injuries occurred
- 29.3 million days were lost overall (24.6 million due to work-related ill health and 4.7 million due to workplace injury.)
In order to fully understand the potential consequences of poor health and safety we will need to look at the HSE statistics from 2008/2009.
In total 29.3 million (recorded) days were lost in 2008 and 4.7 million of these were due to workplace injury, this has huge financial implications for you business both from lost work days to potential compensation claims from employees.
Accidents should be investigated by a competent person and someone who can implement change i.e. a manager or health and safety officer so that all findings can be acted upon in order to prevent future accidents.
A large amount of these accidents are caused as already covered from slips, trips and falls and incorrect lifting causing back injuries.
These accidents can be reduced with the effective implementation of Health & Safety in your workplace and this is everyone’s responsibility; employee and employers.
A positive health and safety culture can not only reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring but also improve the morale of your team which in turn will reduce staff turnover and increase productivity.
Finished? Try some sample test questions here. (Answers can be found in the download section)