Common Accidents At Work

Accidents at work can happen to anybody at anytime. In certain environments, specific types of accidents can be more common than others. For example, you'd be more likely to suffer burns or breathing problems from working with hazardous substances than if you worked in an office.

Accidents will always occur from time to time but it is the duty of your employer to minimise the risks as much as possible as a large number of accidents can often be put down to employer negligence.

Some accidents do, however, occur more frequently than others in general.

Slips and Trips

It has been reported that almost a third of the total of workplace accidents in the UK are the result of slips and trips. In a vast number of these instances, the accident has occurred in wet or contaminated conditions and most trips are put down to bad housekeeping where substances left on the floor, obstructions, adverse weather and poor flooring have been the cause. A slip or trip can seem minor - in some cases, it can even be a source of humour to some but the startling reality is that they can result in head injuries, broken bones and major fractures to limbs and even death where the fall is from height.

Employers should take care to ensure:

• Flooring is suitable and worn flooring is replaced
• If ice is prevalent outdoors, it is cleared and the area is sanded or gritted
• Trailing cables are hidden away
• Flooring is cleaned regularly using appropriate cleaning materials
• There are adequate hand rails, guard rails and sufficient lighting in place
• Areas that are temporarily wet or slippery are clearly marked

Manual Handling

Once again, around a third of all workplace accidents reported to the Health & Safety Executive, arise as a result of manual handling. The term is used to describe any activity that includes lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding or restraining an object, animal or person. The majority of injuries are musculoskeletal disorders to backs, although strains to hands, arms, feet, tendons and the heart are also reported each year.

Employers should take care to ensure any carrying:

• Should not be over long distances
• Should not require extensive twisting, stooping or reaching upwards
• Should not require any strenuous pushing or pulling
• Should not ask you to carry anything where load movements can be unpredictable, unstable or difficult to grasp
• Is done by heavy goods lifting equipment where possible
• Allows for sufficient rest periods
• Provides health and safety instruction on good lifting practice

Workplace Traffic Accidents

Workplace traffic accidents occur not only in the traditional confines of a warehouse depot with heavy goods vehicles but in any place of work where people can come and go in motorised vehicles. Common accidents include being struck by a moving vehicle, falling from, or materials falling from, a vehicle and the collapse or overturning of a vehicle.

Employers should try to ensure:

• They segregate pedestrians and vehicles either by barriers or distance
• They minimise reversing, introducing one-way systems if appropriate
• Reduce the risks of falls from vehicles
• That employees who work as drivers in any capacity are properly trained

Electrical Accidents

Each year, workers lose their life as a result of suffering an electric shock in the workplace, not necessarily just those who work as electricians or with electrical equipment in general. Electrical burns are also a common cause of injury.

Employers should ensure:

• All electrical equipment is well designed, appropriate for the job and well maintained
• Staff using electrical equipment are fully trained
• They give proper warning of any electrical hazards
• They provide equipment which has safety cut out devices
• They promote safe working practices

Other Areas

The areas mentioned are probably the main causes of the most frequent accidents in the workplace in general. However, other areas to be aware of include:

• Working with hazardous chemicals
• Working where fire is present
• Working with plant and heavy machinery

Whilst accidents can never be predicted, both employers and employees have a duty to minimise the risks as much as possible. Employers are legally bound to carry out a full risk assessment of possible accidents that might occur in the workplace and to incorporate preventative measures in their health and safety procedures. Employees also have a duty to understand their company's health and safety procedures fully and to pay due care and attention to their own actions in the workplace to minimise the potential of accidents as much as possible.