Putting the global spotlight on health and safety at work

This Saturday on 28^th April 2018, it’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work, a global campaign to promote a safer and healthier work environment and to prevent work-related accidents and ill health.

Looking at the statistics, it’s clear that health and safety is still a major issue in the workplace.

Last year, there were 0.6 million non-fatal injuries to workers and 1.3 million work-related cases of ill health which resulted in 31.2 million working days lost with a cost to the UK economy of £14.9 billion[i].

The law is unequivocal – every employer has a duty of care to ensure the safety of their workers. This includes individuals who are not employees but are undertaking work on the premises or anyone performing tasks at their request (e.g. agency workers and sub-contractors).

The UK Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 detail employers’ responsibilities across all industry sectors.

Employees should be able to go about their daily working lives without worrying about getting injured or becoming ill. However, unfortunately some companies flout health and safety regulations and workers can be seriously injured using faulty equipment, falling from heights, lifting heavy objects, slipping or tripping or not being given adequate training or the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Workers can also suffer ill health or contract diseases due to being exposed to extreme temperatures or harmful materials such as asbestos fibres or other chemical or biological agents.

Many accidents and cases of ill health are preventable and the UK government takes a tough stance on employers that violate health and safety regulations.

In fact, any breach of health and safety regulations is a criminal offence and any business (or manager) found to be in breach of the law, could face prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).  If found guilty, the company or individual deemed responsible, could face a significant fine or even imprisonment.

Making a compensation claim

If you have a workplace accident or become ill – regardless of the nature of your injury or illness – you could have grounds for a claim for compensation.

At Novum Law, we believe no one should find themselves injured at work or ill due to working conditions or unlawful working practices.

If you have had a serious injury at work, we may be able help you get compensation to assist with any loss of income, medical treatment and costs, care expenses and for the pain, suffering and emotional distressed you are suffering.

For free, confidential advice about how we can help on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis, please contact us on: 0845 160 2513 or email: info@novumlaw.com.