Sadly, around 142 people lost their lives whilst at work and a further 12,000 people died of lung related disorders due to previous exposures in the workplace. (Health and safety at work, 2021).

These numbers are harrowing. They are scary statistics and something we can all work together on to drive down, and in the future look to ultimately eliminate. Injury or illness sustained as a result of work can have disastrous consequences for both the individual and the business itself.

What sorts of injuries does this huge number include?

Stress, depression and anxiety

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) carried out a health and wellbeing at work survey in 2022 and found some of the main causes of employee stress. Workloads and volumes of work, non-work factors such as family issues, management styles, personal illness (non-work related), Covid 19 related anxiety and new homeworking work life balance as a direct result of Covid 19. (CIPD, 2022).

Musculoskeletal injuries

In 2020–21, there were 470,000 cases of work-related musculoskeletal illnesses, representing a prevalence rate of 1,420 per 100,000 workers. These included 76,000 cases involving the lower limbs, 212,000 involving the upper limbs or the neck, 182,000 involving the back. (HSE, 2020).

Other illnesses

This encompasses any other illness that does not include either muscular skeletal injury or stress, depression or anxiety. 22% out of 1.7 million workers fell into this category. (Health and safety at work, 2021).

- Slips trips or falls on same level.

- Handling lifting or carrying

- Struck by a moving object

- Acts of violence

- Falls from height

What were the causes of the fatal injuries suffered at work?

causes of the fatal injuries suffered at work chart

Falls from a height

Accounts for 25% of the total number of fatal injuries suffered in the workplace.

Struck by a moving vehicle

Accounts for 20% of the total number of fatal injuries suffered in the workplace.

Struck by a moving object

Accounts for 14% of the total number of fatal injuries suffered in the workplace.

Trapped by something collapsing or overturning

Accounts for 10% of the total number of fatal injuries suffered in the workplace.

Contact with moving machinery

Accounts for 9% of the total number of fatal injuries suffered in the workplace.

What sort of workplace settings have these injuries and accidents occurred in?

Predominantly, Human health and social work, public administration, defence, and education were the industries with ill-health rates statistically substantially higher than the rate for all industries.

Compared to all other industries, the injury rates in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, construction, lodging and food services, and wholesale and retail commerce (including auto repair) were statistically considerably higher.

Self-reports showed a huge total number of 441,000 non-fatal injuries sustained in the workplace with only 51,211 having been reported by employers via RIDDOR. 102,000 of these injuries incurred more than a 7-day absence. (HSE, 2013).

Time lost due to ill-health and injury

A colossal 12.2 million work hours have been lost due to workplace accidents in 2020 – 2021. It is so important for employers to carry out adequate risk assessments of the workplace and to identify what provisions you may need for your employees. This could be anything from a suitable first aid kit to having appointed persons or those with specific first aid training such as emergency first aid at work (EFAW) or first aid at work. At NR Medical Training we offer both these nationally recognised and regulated qualifications along with numerous other courses that may fit your needs. These include manual handling of both objects and people, CPR and the use of an AED. We also offer awareness courses such as sepsis awareness which is specifically designed for those in caring environments such as care homes or community care staff visiting service users in their own homes. We are adding more of these all the time and work not only from our own experience but also from feedback from our learners.

What is the cost of workplace injury?

It is estimated that in the UK alone workplace injury and illness costs the economy around £15 billion every single year. This is an astronomical figure and one that must be brought down. Through education, action and team working we all have our part to play to drive this number down. Accidents are avoidable and if we all do our bit, this number can be reduced.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) have been operating as a leading charity in accident prevention. They are the only UK accident prevention charity to also work across occupational health and safety, as well as home, leisure and education safety. They have been running since 1916 and carry out research, campaign on big issues and share advice and information. They provide training and resources to both individuals and business and their mission is to “Exchange life-enhancing skills and knowledge to reduce serious accidental injuries” (www.rospa.com, n.d.).

HSE Guide To RIDDOR

Enforcement

Also, to note –The limitations brought on by the coronavirus pandemic have affected the number of cases that have been prosecuted and the year 2020 – 2021 has seen a decrease in previous years because of this. However, the average fine per case has increased from £107,000 to £145,000.

When necessary, the HSE will become involved, and prosecutions and fines may be sought. In Scotland it is the COPFS (Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service) that the HSE refers to.

How does First Aid fit into all this?

Training and education is key in driving these numbers down and keeping those in our workplaces safe from harm. First aid training is imperative, and can both educate and empower individuals to not only know what to do if an accident occurs, but also how to manage it in the right way, so as to get the best possible outcome for the person involved.

What do empowering and engaging training look like? Our current and previous frontline healthcare professionals have been to individuals suffering from minor injuries, dangerous life-threatening presentations, and everything in between. Our team will be able to provide unique insight into dealing with a variety of first aid emergencies. Offering support to learners, not just about the physicality of what to do, but also giving them the confidence to be able to deal with such instances.

Our trainers are passionate about education, and we all feel that first aid education should be accessible to everyone no matter their background or current level of knowledge on the subject.

We have a first aid needs assessment tool to enable you as a business to figure out what training your employees need in order to keep themselves and colleagues safe. This can be found by clicking here. If you’re in any doubt or would like support with this, then please give us a call and we would be happy to go through this with you.

Our first aid training and manual handling courses are regulated by QualSafe and will be delivered by our passionate and experienced team to your staff, to enable them to be empowered, confident and prepared. At NR Medical Training, we aim for our learners to be engaged with the content of courses. We don’t read from PowerPoints or preach to people. We want to engage learners and make the experience enjoyable. We are approachable and keen to pass on knowledge to everyone as we know the difference that can be made to people in those first few minutes.

The basics save lives.