Employers have a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their workers. However, some employers don’t take this duty seriously, ignoring safety procedures. This is one of the chief reasons why workplace accidents occur every day across Northern Ireland.
While many incidents are minor, like a trip and fall, others can be extremely serious, leading to life-long consequences. But what are the most common workplace accidents in Northern Ireland?
Slips and Trips
According to the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI), slips and trips are responsible for a significant amount of workplace injuries. Typical injuries sustained include back and neck injuries, cuts, sprains, and broken bones. The most common reasons people are involved in these injuries include improper lighting, uncovered cables, spills, loose rugs, as well as uneven walking surfaces. While many of these injuries can be avoided if the employer is notified of a fault and fixes the issue, you can also do your bit by staying vigilant and wearing proper footwear.
Muscle sprains and strains
Muscle sprains and strains account for a significant number of injuries that are reported in Northern Ireland. They occur when a muscle or ligament is stretched or torn. This typically occurs as a result of excessive repetition or when a heavy object is improperly lifted. There are a number of ways to avoid these sorts of injuries, like getting assistance from a co-worker when lifting a heavy object. Additionally, it is always recommended that if you’re doing anything repetitive, you take a short break in order to avoid taking an unnecessary physical toll on your body.
Falls from Height
According to HSENI statistics, falls are the biggest single cause of workplace fatalities in Northern Ireland. Individuals engaged in construction, scaffolding or roofing will find themselves particularly vulnerable to these types of injuries. Most of these accidents are caused due to lack of training, poorly constructed scaffolding, as well as faulty equipment. HSENI recommend that you carry our your work as close to ground level as possible and wear as wear adequate safety equipment.
Struck by Objects
Many individuals across Northern Ireland are struck by objects like pallets, storage racks, even hand tools like hand knives. Employers can prevent these injuries by ensuring that items are ground level and making sure that employees are properly trained to stack items. Wearing adequate safety gear is also an absolute must!
Vehicle collisions
There are a variety of instances where vehicles like cars, lorries and forklift trucks can cause a serious injury. Drivers are responsible for their actions behind the wheel and need to be properly licenced, ensure they drive carefully, and ensure that any cargo being transported is safely secured. It is vital that all individuals working near a vehicle as well as the driver need to be conduct themselves accordingly.
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