Accidents are a common occurrence within the workplace. Certain industries such as construction and agriculture report higher levels of incidents, however an injury can occur within any type of workplace.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report that “An estimated 629 000 workers had an accident at work in 2013/2014”…”133 workers lost their lives.”
Types of Injuries
The HSE state that in 2013/2014:
- “over half the fatal injuries to workers were of three kinds: falls from height; contact with moving machinery; and being struck by a vehicle (RIDDOR);
- falls and slips & trips, combined, account for over a third (35%) of employee injuries. They made up more than half of all reported major/specified injuries and almost three in ten (29%) over-seven-day injuries to employees (RIDDOR);
- handling was the most frequent cause of over-seven-day injury (RIDDOR);
- an estimated 1.9 million working days were lost due to handling injuries and slips & trips (LFS).”
How do workplace injuries affect a Business?
Workplace injuries can result in many negative implications for a business as shown below:
- Absenteeism
Injuries can lead to the affected person being unable to remain at work and this can be for just 1 day or indefinitely. This will have knock on effects for the business such as a reduction in productivity.
- Costs
Fines and Imprisonment – A breach of duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) the maximum penalty within the magistrates’ court is an unlimited fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.
Compensation – The magistrates’ and the Crown Court can issue an order to compensation for any personal injury, loss or damage resulting from the offence. The amount of compensation is an unlimited amount within the Crown Court.
Legal Costs – Legal costs will also be incurred during investigation of an incident and court proceedings.
- Reputation
Publicity Orders are available in corporate manslaughter cases and this requires an organisation to publish details of the offence and sentence.
There are many other issues that will impact on productivity and profit within a business that has breached the HSWA.
First Aid Provision
Following an incident there should be trained first aiders available to assess and treat the affected person. First aid can improve the outcome of an incident by minimising the short term and long term effects and can also be the difference between an injury and a fatality.
If the correct level of first aid provision is not provided then a business is potentially going to incur much bigger fines and sanctions as a result of an incident occurring within the workplace.
Businesses may not see the cost of first aid equipment and training as an investment however it will provide better care for employees and the costs of providing the correct first aid provision are much lower than the potential costs of a serious injury occurring and all the repercussions that will follow.
The HSE website contains lots of useful resources to help your business comply with health and safety regulations including Health and safety made simple and Make arrangements for first aid, accidents and ill health.
If you would like any more information about first aid training for the workplace then please get in touch to discuss your requirements.