© Island Pulse
Carolyn Keene reports: Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) state: accidents at work are costing Isle of Wight and Hampshire, £23.5m and every 25 minutes, someone breaks or fractures a bone at work.
As a result the HSE has now launched the ‘Shattered Lives’ campaign, to highlight the devastating consequences of simple slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
In the South East last year, 5,695 people were injured and there was one fatality as a result of a slip, trip or fall - costing the local community around £102.5 million.
Introducing the ‘Shattered Lives’ campaign, Andrew Moore HSE Inspector in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight said:
“Each year slips, trips and falls cost the British society nearly £811 million pounds. But what these figures don’t reflect is the extent to which these injuries affect individual workers and their families.
“Slips, trips and falls can be viewed as being minor, funny accidents but the effects are not. It can lead to major injuries, and a lifetime of disability or time off work and in worst cases fatalities. ‘Shattered Lives’ will encourage people to change their attitudes: if you spot a hazard, don’t assume ’somebody else will sort it out’.
“Slips, trips and falls also shatter businesses through costs such as employee absence, sick pay and reduced productivity. Irrespective of the size of the business and the job that you do, it could happen to you.”
HSE’s Shattered Lives campaign will offer support and guidance to employers and employees in the construction, building and plant maintenance and food manufacturing and retail industries where the incidence of injuries resulting from slips, trips and falls is highest.
For more information Click HERE: ‘Shattered Lives’ or call InfoLine on 0845 3450055
HSE Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.