Workplace deaths increases mean no room for complacency 11 November 2011

With the latest (2010/11) figures from the HSE showing a rise in workplace fatalities from 147 up to 171, the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is urging industry not to become complacent.

"Britain does boast some of the best health and safety records in Europe and long may this continue," states David Lummis, CEO of BSIF. "However, we must not become complacent in our achievements and, instead, continue to strive to provide the best possible care to reduce death and injury in the workplace."

Lummis urges all trade bodies, government agencies and organisations to retain a strong focus on minimising workplace accidents, "despite the inevitable cutbacks", in a bid to ensure that next year's figures are significantly reduced.

"It is upsetting to see that the number of fatalities at work has increased this year, after a consecutive four year drop in fatalities. This is 171 lives too many; people deserve to go to work knowing that they will be protected," he says.

Commenting on the drop in number of people suffering from illnesses they believe were caused or exacerbated by work – down from 1.3 million in 2009/10 to estimated 1.2 million, he adds: "These are real people whose lives have been seriously affected, some with irreversible damage."

Meanwhile, load handling equipment manufacturer Penny Hydraulics – commenting on the 36,244 workers recorded as suffering reportable injuries from manual handling – suggest that employers could do more to reduce or remove the risks associated with manual handling in the workplace.

Sales director Richard Short says:. "The best solution is to remove the need for manual handling, but if this is not possible a suitable mechanical lifting aid is often the next best option."

And he continues: "It is the employer's duty to simplify their handling processes or provide employees with the tools and equipment to do their work more safely, efficiently and productively.

"There is a good choice of simple and inexpensive equipment, such as cranes and tail lifts for commercial vehicles and goods lifts and similar devices for the workplace that is readily available from suppliers like us."

Brian Tinham

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