NEWS EXTRA THE HURT LOCKER


According to workplace accident specialists, First4Lawyers, 565k people were injured at work last year. Nick Higgson, CEO of Phoenix Health & Safety, looks at statistics of the most common workplace injuries across the UK.


IN THE LAST YEAR, 565k people were injured at work2 and in 2020, the average number of days lost due to work-related injuries was calculated as 20 days per person, a figure that has increased by a staggering 186% over the last 10 years.


With 123 workers killed during their time at work in 2020/21, more needs to be done to improve health and safety regulations in the workplace and reduce these staggering figures. Top 15 most common workplace injuries across the UK:


Injury type Cut on hand


Cut on finger


Dislocation in hand Scarred hand


Dislocation in back Cut on the head Dislocated finger Cut on the back


Ligament damage in knee Scarred arm


Fractured back Dislocated foot Dislocated wrist Fractured hand


Tendon damage in hand


Number of injuries 528


525 474 453 448 424 402 394 379 379 359 343 330 325 315


Higgons says: “An injury to the hand can occur in any workplace, but kitchens and construction sites are common high-risk locations. If you are working with sharp objects or knives in your workplace, there are courses available that can train you on the correct use of knives, which can reduce the risk of injury. “If you work in a construction site or with machinery, your employer’s risk assessment should identify any potential danger areas and identify steps to minimise the risk.”


Hand dislocation


Two common causes of hand dislocation are falling from height and car accidents. These can occur in a wide variety of industries including retail, transportation and even in the office. Higgson says: “To ensure your staff are in the best position to avoid injuries from falling you can enrol your employees on working at height training, where they will be trained in the best practices when carrying out work at height. If


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your business does not have any measures in place, a risk assessment should be conducted to identify the risk of harm to employees and measures put in place to avoid potential fines.


Scarred hand


In kitchens and factories that work with corrosive chemicals or boiling oil, splashes and spills can lead to serious burns and scarring. Many workplaces are required by law to have adequate fire safety measures and chemical spill stations as well as provide PPE and training to staff.


Back dislocation


As of 2021, 180,000 people in the UK have suffered from back pain due to injuries in the workplace4. Damage to the back or spine can leave you with temporary pain or permanent injury and can occur if an employee falls from a height or incorrectly handles heavy objects. “Ensuring that your workplace has provided the correct equipment and training for handling heavy objects can reduce back injuries.”


Head injury


Cuts and blows to the head can occur in any industry due to trips, falls and unsecured objects falling.


Higgon says: “A risk assessment will identify particular risks in the workplace, what training staff must undertake to ensure they are kept safe in the workplace, and whether PPE such as a hard hat may also be required.” The top three injuries across the UK are back, foot and hand injuries, with chest injuries being particularly prevalent in Manchester. These injuries can be caused by a multitude of workplace hazards including falls due to slippery floors and the lifting of heavy goods. Jacqueline Busby, Head of Claims at First4Lawyers says: “Although it is positive that numbers of serious workplace accidents, including fatalities, has fallen significantly in the last few decades, we are still seeing too many people being hurt in preventable incidents. It is perhaps unsurprising that big cities top the list of accident at work hotspots. However, when we look at the number of accidents per capita, there are some much smaller towns making up the top 10. This shows employers all across the country need to be mindful of how they keep their workers safe.


“We have also found that there is a wide range of injuries happening to employees – from cuts on hands to dislocated backs. Although injuries are more likely to affect individuals in certain roles, it is a reminder that no worker is completely free of risk.” BMJ


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net February 2023


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