Accidents at work
Several precautions can be taken to prevent accidents at work.
Accident statistics that have been reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) highlight the number of accidents that can occur in the workplace. If you are an employer, self-employed or in control of work premises, you will have duties under RIDDOR.
In 2000/01 in Local Authority enforced premises slips, trips and falls (on the same level) accounted for 42% of major injuries and 21% of over 3 day injuries to employees, which were reportable under RIDDOR.
Please see our section on slips, trips and falls to find out more.
A third of all reported fall from height incidents involve ladders and stepladders , on average this accounts for14 deaths and 1200 major injuries to workers each year. Many of these injuries are caused by in appropriate or incorrect use of the equipment.
Controlling hazards at work is no different from tackling any other task - recognising the problem, knowing enough about it, deciding what to do, putting the solution into practice.
The need to assess risks was first implied in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and has been a feature of most of the subsequent Health and Safety Regulations.
Please look at our risk assessment page to find out more.