Many victims of workplace accidents are making the process of claiming compensation more difficult by failing to ensure the details of their case have been properly recorded by the Health and Safety Executive.

In 1995 regulations were introduced for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences, which stated that employers must notify the health and safety watchdog of any serious workplace accidents, near misses or occupational diseases and dangerous incidents that occur.

The most recent research released on the subject shows that only 40 per cent of workplace accidents that occur each year are actually reported. The figures from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RSPA) show that less than half of those individuals who may have grounds to make a workplace accidents claim for compensation are actually doing so.

A spokesmen for the RSPA, said: “Often the onus for reporting workplace accidents is on employees. It is important they put pressure on organisations to report and record accidents as and when they occur. 

“Recording accidents is very important and beneficial to employees as, if they require time off as a result of the injuries they have sustained, then there is a written record of what happened, which can make it easier to get the time off they need.”

Only serious accidents need to be reported to the HSE, whilst every accident that occurs should be recorded internally in an accident log book. An accident book should contain full details of the workplace accident that occurred, including the date and time, the individuals involved, the injuries sustained as well as the circumstances of the accident.

Not only does an accident book provide a record of events if workplace accident claims should be made further down the line, it also acts as a useful management tool to help employers identify where improvements need to be made to increase their business’ safety record.

If you’ve suffered an accident at work then our experienced and professional workplace accidents solicitors are on hand to provide you with the assistance you need to claim the compensation you deserve. We can tell you in just a few minutes whether you have grounds to make a claim.

One of the UK’s largest trade unions has claimed that official figures underestimate the number of deaths resulting from workplace accidents by up to 8 times.

Unite has claimed that the number of people killed as a result of workplace accidents last year totalled 1,400. This contradicts the figure reported by official statisticians which was just an eighth of this amount.  

The report was published ahead of Workers’ Memorial Day, which fell on 28 April this year, and was marked by a series of events around the UK to raise awareness of those people who die every year as a result of workplace accidents or diseases.

Unite have long been critical of official statistics for the number of workplace accidents which result in death every year, believing the true extent of the problem is being massively underestimated.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, said: “The government is hell-bent on reducing health and safety regulations and standards. It will lead to fewer inspections, less enforcement and more deaths, injuries and ill-health at work.

“Using the official statistics enables the government to suggest that UK health and safety is better than everywhere else, and provides an excuse, albeit a very thin one, for cutting the health and safety responsibilities of UK employers.”

The TUC added further weight to Unite claims by calling on unions and safety campaigners to make Workers’ Memorial Day a day of action to promote health and safety.

Perhaps surprisingly the UK only lies 20th for healthy and safety at work in a list of 34 developed nations. Unions are concerned that workplace safety may suffer even further as a result of a slackening of standards and regulations.

Unfortunately workplace accidents are an everyday event in the UK. If you suffer an injury at work through no fault of your own then our team of solicitors are on hand to help. Call 029 2069 5939 to discuss your claim.

Teachers are one group particularly exposed to workplace accidents including assaults, injuries and stress related distress. Over the Easter holidays three of the leading teaching trade unions have held their annual conferences and disclosed the amount of money that has been paid out in workplace accident claims over the year.

One of the UK’s largest teaching trade unions, NASUWT, secured £12.6m in workplace accident claims for its members, which represents an increase of 20% on the previous year. Of this amount, just under a £1m was awarded to 80 members over the course of the year for claims relating to assaults and stress-related illnesses.

The National Union of Teachers, which also held its conference over the Easter bank holiday weekend, did not disclose the total amount of compensation that had been secured for its members, although it did state that the majority of the cases handled by the union were settled for a few thousand pounds apiece.

The largest workplace accident payout over the course of the year totalled £222,215 and was awarded to a teacher working with pupils with learning and behavioural problems who suffered a brain injury after being hit on the head with a bus door by a pupil. Another substantial payout totalling £175,000 was awarded to a teacher who was punched in the head by a parent.

Although the cost of workplace accident claims is mounting, compensation is still small comfort for a teacher who has suffered physical or mental distress, with many deciding to leave their jobs as a result. Chris Keates, the NASUWT general secretary, said: “Employers who deliberately flout the law are not only causing ill-health and job loss, they are also costing taxpayers millions of pounds. Behind each of these cases is a person whose life has been damaged through serious injury or unfair dismissal from a career that meant an awful lot to them. Workplace accident compensation is important but it is cold comfort when they have lost their job, or their mental or physical health has been irreparably damaged.”

If your physical or mental health has been damaged as a result of a workplace accident then you may grounds to make a claim. One quick call to Howells Solicitors is it all it takes to determine whether or not you can make a claim. Call 0808 178 2773 today.

Workplace accidents are not always the result of a serious act of negligence. We all have moments where our concentration dips or weariness blunts our reactions. Regardless of the reason for workplace accidents, the resultant damage which occurs can be severe, whether it manifests as a personal injury or broken equipment. As a method of identifying potential workplace accidents before they occur, it is important managers are able to identify the warning signs before it’s too late.

An unmanageable workload

Working too hard or too fast can lead to stress. It is when you feel the world is against you and your list of tasks is never ending that accidents are most likely to occur. It is important to have time to relax, even whilst at work. Regular breaks are key, even if it just to take ten minutes outside for a breath of fresh air. Even if you feel like you don’t have time for a break, do. Not only will it help you to feel more relaxed, it will also improve your concentration once the break is over.

A lack of sleep

A lack of sleep is one of the leading causes of workplace accidents. Sleep is fundamental to the human body, and a lack thereof can manifest in diverse ways. Whether you are unable to concentrate or your decisions are not made to the same logical degree, workplace accidents are more likely to occur as a result. Required levels of sleep differ depending on the individual, some are lucky enough to feel sprightly after a mere six hours, whilst others feel drowsy after eight.

Inadequate training

When working with heavy machinery or any manually operated equipment, thorough training is essential. By understanding how to properly operate machinery the risk of workplace accidents is drastically reduced. If you feel you have not received the training you need and are unsure exactly how the machinery should be operated, inform a line manager and watch an experienced worker operate the equipment until you are entirely comfortable with what you are doing.

Workplace accidents can affect workers at any time, although the above factors do increase the risk drastically. If you have suffered an accident at work as a result of any of the above, call 02920 695 939 to discuss whether you can make a claim.

Beneath the flaky, pastry crust of Melton Mowbray lurks a dangerous secret. The pork pie haven has the highest incidence of workplace accidents in England. More famous for its pies and its stilton, the home of the much-loved picnic classic seems to have a rather sinister filling…

The news emerged after the South West Public Health Observatory (SWPHO) published injury profiles for the whole of England. According to the stats, Melton is plagued by 29 accidental deaths for every 100,000 residents each year. 0.029% might not sound like much but, to put things in perspective, the lowest incidence of accidental death is a mere 0.0055%. This low figure comes from Runnymede in Surrey, which could well be the safest place to live in England.

When confronted by the figures, local MPs were stumped. Conservative councillor, Malise Graham commented: “"Nothing much really goes on here apart from pork pies and Stilton cheese,". One suggestion is that the high level of agriculture could account for a higher level of workplace accidents.

Agricultural work does indeed have a high rate of workplace accidents. Interestingly, it is still Britain’s most dangerous profession, accounting for 1 in 10 workplace deaths and dozens more workplace accidents. Yet there are far more agriculturally rich areas in the UK.

The experts agree that farming is not the sole reason for the high level of workplace accidents. Instead, they believe it is a mixture of complex issues. Economic and social causes combined with the availability of the NHS and medical care are thought to be at the heart of the issue.

No matter where you live, if you have been affected by workplace accidents though no fault of your own, you deserve to be compensated. For support, assistance and expert guidance contact Howell’s workplace accidents experts today on 029 2069 5939.

As the government strive to cut red tape across the country, workplace accident regulations are set to be changed on 6th April 2012. This month the changes were made concrete and could reduce the burden placed on employers by the effects of a workplace accident. The alterations to current law are part of the country-wide drive to reduce time wasting, save money and make life a lot easier for small to medium businesses.

To start with, the period of incapacitation following a workplace accident will rise from three days to seven days before an employer has to report the workplace accident. Until 6th April employers must report any workplace accident which causes incapacitation which lasts three or more days. Once the changes come into action, this period of incapacitation must be seven days or more.

The next change to be implemented will be the period of time allotted to employers in which they must report the accident. After the April deadline, employers will have 15 days in which to report any workplace accident which results in an excess of seven days of incapacitation. Prior to the changes, employers had a mere 10 days to get their report submitted.

The idea is that these changes will remove pressure from businesses and give them a little breathing room between the initial workplace accident and the submission of the report. At the same time, the alterations to the workplace accident regulations are designed to have no negative impact on employees who experience a workplace accident.

Hopefully these workplace accident regulation alterations will prove to be a win-win situation. However, if you have been the victim of a workplace accident it is always important to have the best representation possible. The Howells team of expert workplace accident claims solicitors have decades of experience getting the right compensation for their clients so call today on 0808 178 2773.

David Cameron’s calls to cut back on the UK’s red tape and ‘health and safety culture’ have been met by support in many areas but the proposed changes could seriously increase workplace accidents. Cameron’s New Year’s resolution “to kill off health and safety culture” ignores the thousands of severe workplace accidents and dozens of deaths that occur in UK workplaces every year.

The government has put its leader’s resolutions into practice by making a 35% cut to The Health and Safety Executive’s budget, showing a serious lack of care for the safety of it’s working population. Recent statistics show that, since this cut was made, workplace deaths in London have almost doubled, rising from nine to 17, meanwhile workplace accidents have also increased.

It is understandable that cuts are being made in an area which many perceive to be a branch of the nanny state. The paperwork, rules and regulations surrounding health and safety are complex, time-consuming and an irritation for many, but there is a reason they are there – to minimise the risk of workplace accidents and keep everyone safe.

In fact, the British health and safety system, especially in the workplace, is the envy of many other countries. Our workers enjoy real protection and care, ensuring that work is a safe place for everyone. Since health and safety legislation was first introduced in 1974, fatal workplace accidents have fallen by an incredible 82%. With this in mind, can we really afford to start cutting back on the laws which have saved the lives of so many?

Reducing health and safety legislation jeopardises the safety of the UK’s workforce which, in a time of economic stress, we simply cannot afford to do. It also begins to deny workers the right to challenge their lax employer in the courts if they are the victim workplace accidents. Workplace accidents do happen and, if you are unfortunate enough to have suffered from workplace accidents which were not your fault, you have the right to compensation.

To get the compensation you deserve following workplace accidents, contact our experienced team of solicitors at Howells. We specialise in helping clients handle claims following workplace accidents. You can contact our workplace accidents experts on 029 2069 5939.

There really aren’t many jobs that don’t involve some element of risk, or where interaction with a possible hazard is not a pre-requisite of employment. Ensuring a safe working environment is all about preparation and education. With the right preparation, training and tools, very few jobs are inherently dangerous. By taking the appropriate steps, you can greatly reduce the chance of your company being on the receiving end of costly workplace accident claims.

So what steps can you take to reduce the chance of workplace accident claims?

•    Ensure your employees are using the most suitable equipment for the job. No corners should be cut when deciding on the tools, equipment and materials required for a particular task. It is not merely enough to buy the tools in the first place, they should also undergo regular checks to ensure the items are in perfect working order. If any faults are found they should be repaired immediately and a record of the work required should be kept.

•    Employees must be trained sufficiently to work with the tools and materials their job requires. This training should be constantly updated and refreshed in line with ever-changing work practices. Giving employees training materials well before they are due to carry out a job will help employees to familiarise themselves with the task ahead as well as the tools they will be using. A surefire way to reduce the chance of workplace accident claims.

•    Any workplace incident should be reported at once. File a report with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) and follow any instructions they give to the letter.

•    Ensure all the relevant safety equipment is supplied to employees before they commence a task. Protective hats, goggles, gloves and clothing should all be worn where appropriate. This measure will protect employees from injury and companies from subsequent workplace accident claims.

•    Deal with situations involving stressed employees before they boil over into workplace related incidents. A one-to-one chat can work wonders for disgruntled employees as they will feel their concerns are being taken onboard. A proactive rather than reactive approach to dealing with stressed employees will help to reduce the number of workplace accident claims you receive.

We hope these tips help you to identify areas where there is potential for workplace accident claims before they occur. However, if, as an employee, you are involved in a workplace accident as a result of an employer neglecting to adhere to the above steps, contact Howells Solicitors. We have vast experience helping employees win the workplace accident claims compensation they deserve.

Workplace accidents happen all too often, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you are looking to reduce the number of workplace accidents it is handy to know which are the most common and how they can be avoided. Any of your employees could take out a workplace accident claim against you if they believe your workplace to be dangerous or that their injury was a direct result of the working environment. A workplace accident claim could be so damaging to your business and reputation and it could be much easier to put the cogs in place to ensure accidents don’t happen.

Here is a list of the top 5 workplace accidents and how to avoid them:

1. Trips and Falls

It’s often that slips, trips and falls occur in the workplace.  It’s important to mark out any wet or slippery floors with the right markers.  Rubbish and debris should be removed from any working area and cables clearly marked or covered with trunking.  Safety training will also ensure that staff know how to properly mark areas of concern.

2. Manual Labour

Lifting, moving, carrying, pulling, or pushing could lead to a potential accident in the workplace.  In fact, this kind of accident accounts for over one third of all accidents in the workplace and is a common workplace accident claim reason.  Again, safety training and the right equipment will ensure these accidents are avoided.

3. Traffic accidents

It’s not only crashes or collisions that are the subject of many a workplace accident claim, but also claims arising from falling materials from vehicles, forklift trucks or cranes.  Vehicle safety training will ensure these accidents are reduced or eradicated.

4. Electrical accidents

Another common reason for a workplace accident claim is that arising from electrical accidents.  Exposed cables and wires whilst being potentially fatal can also cause burns that could result in many days away from the workplace and a workplace accident claim being taken against you.

5. Chemical hazards

All chemical hazards within a workplace must always be clearly marked and anybody dealing with these substances must have received the right level of training.  Chemical burns and inhalation can result in death and major injury.

There are many other reasons for a workplace injury claim, but those listed above are the most common. Of course, with the right safety provisions in place and the right levels of safety training, you can be sure these accidents willl occur less likely. 

With the predominantly office based environments in which many of today’s employees work, back injuries have become a scourge on many companies. Workplace accident claims for such injuries account for a significant percentage of total compensation payouts, but are notoriously difficult to prevent given the amount of time many people spend sat at their desks.

Back injuries are persistent and can be extremely painful. They can be caused in a wide variety of ways making them particularly difficult to eradicate completely. A back injury which results in workplace accident claims can result from exceeding the capability of muscles, tendons, disks, or from the cumulative effect of several contributors. Essentially, as you will see from the list below, back injuries are extremely difficult to avoid. Common causes include:

•    Poor seating position
•    Maintaining a bent posture
•    Staying in one position for too long
•    An improperly designed workstation
•    Reaching too far for the mouse or keyboard
•    Repetitive lifting
•    Lifting with a bent back
•    Performing strenuous tasks without the strength or endurance to do so

Although it is difficult to stamp out such practices altogether, there are a number of steps which can be taken to reduce the frequency with which they occur, helping to diminish the effect workplace accident claims will have on your company’s bottom line.

Training is essential in restricting the number of workplace accident claims your organisation faces as a result of back injuries. Workers who are particularly at risk are those carrying out manual jobs where heavy lifting is a common occurrence. Employees should be encouraged to speak up if their work is causing them discomfort in anyway and appropriate measures should be taken to alleviate this. Outside expertise can also be sought, although only those with a track record of successfully reducing the number of workplace accident claims in other organisations should be considered. 

If your company is commonly on the receiving end of workplace accident claims then measures should be taken at the earliest possible instance. On the other hand, if you are an employee who has suffered a back injury as a result of your work then contact the specialist team of workplace accident claims solicitors here at Howells, who will expertly handle your claim, working professionally towards a prompt and successful resolution.