The Health and Safety Executive have released their figures compiled for 2012-13. The figures are somewhat shocking; 148 workers were killed at work during the period, 78,000 other injuries were reported under RIDDOR, there were 175,000 over 7 day absences and an estimated 1.1 million working people were suffering from a work related illness or injury. Undoubtedly, a large proportion of these will have resulted in successful claims for personal injury.
By law, your employer is under a strict duty to protect your health, safety and welfare at work. Under this obligation, they must ensure that the environment in which you are working is safe and take appropriate measures to see that you do not come to any harm. In addition, if you have been subjected to the negligence of another employee then your employer may be liable. Furthermore, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) places an obligation on employers to report certain workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (near misses).
Regulations governing the duties of employers are complex and wide ranging and involve ensuring that the work place is safe, that all equipment is safely maintained, that the workplace is kept clean and tidy and that adequate training is provided. For example, if manual handling forms a key part of the job role, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) 1992 will be applicable. The Courts are of the view that a risk assessment must be completed and steps are to be taken to reduce any risks found: it is not for the employee to put together an adequate system of work. As is evident, the emphasis of the regulations is heavily on risk assessment and prevention rather than reaction after the accident has occurred.
Here at Farleys, we have a specialised and experienced team of work accident solicitors who can assess your claim. If you have suffered personal injury as result of your employer’s negligence and believe you may be entitled to compensation, do not hesitate to contact us for a free claim evaluation.
By Nick Molyneux, Work Accident Claim Solicitor