HSE Initiative to Highlight Effects of Workplace Injuries

MORE than half the injuries suffered by workers in the hospitality industry come as a result of a trip, slip or fall, according to latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The figures reveal that someone breaks or fractures a bone at work every 25 minutes.

This week, the HSE launches the ‘Shattered Lives’ campaign, to highlight the devastating consequences of simple slips, trips and falls in the workplace.

In the catering and hospitality industry last year, over 50 per cent of the injuries reported to the HSE were from a slip, trip or fall, costing society £31 million.

Introducing the ‘Shattered Lives’ campaign, Dr Elizabeth Gibby, head of the Injuries Reduction Programme, HSE said: “Each year slips, trips and falls cost the British society nearly £811 million pounds with £31 million of this coming from the catering and hospitality industry.

"But what these figures don’t reflect, is the extent to which these injuries affect individual workers and their families.

"Slips, trips and falls can be viewed as being minor, funny accidents but the effects are not.

"It can lead to major injuries, and a lifetime of disability or time off work and in worst cases, fatalities. ‘Shattered Lives’ will encourage people to change their attitudes: if you spot a hazard, don’t assume somebody else will sort it out.

"Injuries also affect businesses through costs such as employee absence, sick pay and reduced productivity. Irrespective of the size of the business and the job that you do, it could happen to you."

For more information on the `Shattered Lives` campaign please visit www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/index.htm​ or call the InfoLine on 0845 3450055.