Figures released today by the north west division of the Health and Safety Executive showed that the number of injuries and fatalities that take place in the workplace have decreased marginally in the north west of England, suggesting that workplace health and safety has improved in the region over the past year.

The number of workplace fatalities decreased by 50%, from 4 to 2, whereas the number of major injuries dropped from 1,272 to 1,116 over the course of the year. In addition, 4,139 workers experienced an injury that required at least three days off work in order to recover, compared to 4,520 the previous year.

However, the figures from the Greater Manchester area do not reflect those of the rest of the country. The number of workplace fatalities nationwide increased from 147 in 2009/10 to 171 in 2010/11. This 16% increase has lead to a stark warning from the HSE about the state of health and safety in the workplace, particularly in high-risk industries, such as construction, which accounted for 50 of the 171 fatalities during the 12-month period.

However, it should be noted that the 171 fatalities is actually 17% lower than the national average from the past five years, which is 205. In addition, in comparison to figures from other EU countries, Britain has had consistently low workplace fatality and injury figures.

Workplace health and safety is an incredibly important issue for both employers and employees alike. In 2010/11 alone, 26.4 million working days were lost due to job-related illnesses and workplace injuries.

Vibrating power tools are essential in the construction industry, yet if they are used incorrectly and/or for excessive periods of time, they can have a sever impact on health. A number of incurable ailments can occur as a result of using such equipment, such as hand arm vibration syndrome and white finger disease. This is a concern for both employees and employers, as these cases will result in some form of compensation claim.

Four of the country’s largest tool hire firms have now signed an agreement to provide customers with HAVmeters, which will monitor vibration levels and indicate when safe levels are exceeded. This will help to prevent vibration-related injuries from occurring in the future. The firms that have taken on the HAVmeters are among 8 of the top hire companies in the UK, providing tools and equipment to some of the largest construction companies.

The HAVmeter was developed by vibration specialists, Reactec. Managing director Jim O’Hagan commented: “Thankfully more and more companies are realising that continuous vibration monitoring is the best method of protecting staff, and that the HAVmeter system is the highest-rated product on the market to do this.”

On 10th March 2009, 23-year-old worker Martin Mundie was seriously injured after falling more than 7 metres from the roof of a former pig shed where he was working.

After an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive, Joseph Adams, the self-employed blacksmith he was working for, has been fined £4,500 for breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Mr Mundie employed as part of a team converting a former pig shed into a workshop when the accident happened. He and 3 other workers climbed onto the roof via a ladder so they could start replacing the sheets and capping. Shortly afterwards, he fell through a skylight onto the concrete floor below – a distance of around 8 metres.

The fall left him with a broken arm and wrist. He had to have a bone graft plus and was operated on further 2 times with doctors inserting 3 plates and 6 pins into his arm. He was left with scars and was unable to work for 10 months, and still suffers pain, numbness and restricted movement. He is no longer employed by Mr Adams.

HSE investigators found that no risk assessments had taken place before or during the work, and no safety measures were in place. HSE Inspector Alan Mackinnon said:

“Mr Mundie has been left with significant and lasting injuries that could easily have been avoided if Joseph Adams had thought about the obvious risks involved when working on the roof.

“Joseph Adams did not provide any equipment to allow the men to work on the roof safely. He could have arranged for his employees to work from a mobile elevated work platform, wear safety harnesses while they were on the roof or for properly fixed crawling boards with barriers to be used. Not providing any of these safeguards is simply unacceptable.

“Guidance is freely available on the HSE website to help dutyholders ensure that work at height is carried out safely. If Joseph Adams had taken simple safety measures, Mr Mundie would not have sustained these injuries.”

The site where the accident took place

On 25th March 2010, 31-year-old construction worker Karl Kraus suffered serious injuries when he fell from a balcony. His former employer, Preseli Construction & Maintenance Ltd has been prosecuted, and the company director has been banned from running a business.

Mr Kraus was working on the build of a large 3-storey residential property in Saundersfoot when the accident occurred. He was told to remove a concrete block that was obstructing a doorway – as he threw the block, he fell backwards onto a balcony and then dropped 7 metres onto the ground below.

He had to stay at Morriston Hospital in Swansea for 6 days, undergoing surgery to repair the bone in his left heel, and then had to wear a plaster cast for around 10 months. He remains in constant pain, and can’t walk on uneven ground without the risk of a fall. In order to prevent further damage to his foot, he is due to have more surgery, but will never be able to work in the construction industry again.

HSE inspector Anne-Marie Orrells said: “Mr Kraus is still a young man who’s life has been turned upside down after receiving significant long-term injuries in this incident. He is no longer able to do any of the simplest things that many people take for granted, like playing with his children or going for a walk in the countryside with his partner.”

An investigation undertaken by the HSE found that no scaffolding or fall prevention measures were in place at the construction site, and Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that proper planning and supervision for work at height hadn’t been carried out.

Preseli Construction & Maintenance Ltd admitted breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £12,000 plus £2,376.25 costs. The company’s directory, Mr Christopher Newell, admitted breaching Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £4,000 plus £2,376.25 costs. He was also disqualified from directing, managing or controlling any company for at least 2 years.

Falls from height remain the primary cause of fatal accidents in the construction industry. If you have had an accident at work, get in touch with us today to find out whether you can make a claim for compensation.