Accident at Work

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Fitters Injured In Flash Fire

28Oct

Two fitters suffered facial burns and head injuries when a gas canister burst into flames ...

Multinationals Fined Over Work Accident Tragedy

09Oct

Two multinational firms prosecuted after one worker dies and another suffers serious injuries in work accident tragedy.

Work injury compensation in the construction industry

17Aug

Construction sites can be hazardous places. In fact, the construction industry has one of the highest rates of workplaces injuries in the UK. Refurbishment is a particularly hazardous area of construction because sites can be full of hidden dangers. Working with scaffolding, machinery and tools can lead to accidents if proper safety procedures are not followed. Construction workers also need to be provided with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). If your employer fails to take steps to prevent accidents in the workplace, for example, failing to provide the necessary PPE, you may be able to submit a claim for compensation.

Thousands of injury at work claims from noise exposure

13Aug

Exposure to certain levels of noise can cause lasting damage. Regulations were introduced in 2005 that limited the noise levels that workers can be exposed to. Hearing protection must also be provided above a certain level of noise. If employers fail to follow the limits outlined, they can risk permanent damage to their employees’ hearing. HSE statistics indicate that in 2009/10, approx 21,000 people who had worked in the last 12 months were affected by hearing loss as a result of their work. Many were permanently deafened, either partially or completely.

Recovering from a work injury

12Aug

Recovering from a work injury can take a long time and can be extremely frustrating. If you are missing work, you may be worried about catching up when you get back or you may be worried about whether you will ever be able to return at all. The key to recovery and rehabilitation is following medical advice. If your doctor suggests light exercises, it is important to carry them out as instructed. If you fail to do the exercises, this could delay your recovery, just as pushing yourself too much could worsen your injury. You may also be prescribed medication which will help with pain relief and reducing inflammation.

Industrial injury claim can help pay for costs not covered by government help

12Aug

There are various types of benefit that can be claimed by individuals who have been injured at work. However, these may not fully cover the home adaptations and care needed by someone who has suffered a serious injury which affects their mobility and ability to work. Research conducted by a charity found that 20% of spinal injury sufferers were not able to return home once discharged from hospital because it was not possible for the home adaptations they needed to be made. A claim for compensation may help to pay for these kinds of costs and to improve the quality of life of the person who has suffered the injury.

Does the UK have a work injuries compensation culture?

04Aug

The Association of British Insurers published figures in 2005 which indicated that around 60,000 people receive compensation from their employers every year. Government statistics indicate that a further 20,000 people a year receive Industrial Injuries benefit, which is a ‘no fault’ compensation scheme provided by the government. As a percentage of the total number of illnesses and injuries every year, this figure is quite low. In 2009/10, there were 555,000 cases of new work illnesses and 233,000 reportable work injuries. Concerns that the UK is developing a ‘compensation culture’ where compensation is awarded to undeserving cases seem unfounded.

Injured at work after ladder accident

03Aug

According to HSE figures, there are 12 fatalities a year, on average, as a result of falls from ladders at work. An additional 1,200 workers suffer major injuries. Ladders are the most common agent involved in work injuries and account for more than a quarter of all falls from height. Falls from height are the most common cause of fatal injuries at work and also cause a significant number of major injuries and over-three-day injuries. Steps can be taken to make working with ladders safer. Employers need to provide suitable equipment and make sure workers are trained. Employees need to check equipment and work safely.

Government cuts threaten to increase workplace injuries

02Aug

In October 2010, the government announced cuts to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and to local authorities. These cuts mean that there will be fewer visits to workplaces and a lower capacity to provide guidance to employers. The Young Review, published in 2010, has also been called a “missed opportunity” by the TUC. It focuses on areas where health and safety rules have been used unnecessarily rather than focusing on reducing injuries and fatalities. These two factors have raised concerns that the number of injuries and fatalities occurring in British workplaces will increase rather than decrease in the near future.

Injury or illness at work: Making an accident at work claim for compensation

01Aug

very year, thousands of people are injured at work or suffer an illness as a result of their work. The different types of injury and illness that they suffer vary dramatically. An injury is usually the result of a single incident, such as a fall. An illness may not be attributable to a single cause and may have built up over time, such as stress. In 2009/10, work-related ill health was the cause of more days taken off work than work injuries. The employer may be considered negligent if the injury or illness was ‘foreseeable;’ that is if they should have known the risks and could have done something to reduce them.

Personal injury at work blinds welder

29Jul

The eyes are extremely complicated and delicate. If they are damaged, this can result in partial or complete blindness. Manual occupations such as construction have a higher risk of injury to the eye. Eyes can be damaged by foreign objects, by a blow to the eye or by an explosion. Scratches or grazes to the cornea (also known as corneal abrasions) affect about 3 in 1,000 people every year in the UK. It is important that workers at risk from foreign objects entering their eyes, eg. splinters, are given adequate eye protection. If an employer fails to protect their workers, they may be considered negligent.

How to prevent work injury

26Jul

Both employers and employees have a responsibility to do what they can to prevent work injury. Safety equipment such as goggles should be provided where necessary. If manual handling will be required, workers need to direct their full attention to the task and employers should ensure that they have received the correct training. Care also needs to be taken to avoid slips and trips by cleaning up spillages, using appropriate cleaning products, replacing worn or torn flooring, removing obstacles from pathways and ensuring lighting is sufficient. If these steps are followed, many work injuries can be prevented.

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