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Work Accidents |
 Health and safety legislation is often seen as burdensome by employers. They have to ensure that their workplace is free from any hazards and that all staff are fully trained in all aspects of their job. But it seems as though the hoops which employers are forced to jump through may have been worthwhile, with fewer workplace deaths and serious work accidents being recorded in the last year.
The Health and Safety Executive has recently released a report which showed that between April 2009 and March 2010, 152 people were killed while at work due a work accident. This compares with 179 people during the previous year. In addition, major injuries resulting from work accidents fell from 27,894 to 25,061. Major injuries include amputations, broken bones, head injuries and serious burns which are likely to result in the employee not being able to return to work.
The numbers of people who suffered less serious work related injuries fell from 17,460 to 14,678. Less serious injuries are those which require people to be away from work for three days or more, but are able to return to work once rehabilitation has taken place.
Most serious work accidents tend of occur in the construction and agricultural sectors according to the report, although many of the less serious accidents occurred in factories and in manufacturing.
But it is not only accidents at work which can lead to injury. Many people are now suffering from work related stress which can lead to extended periods being taken off work and claims for compensation.
A University of Manchester sociologist Tarani Chandola has reported in October 2010 that the current recession has caused stress levels in the workplace to rise more than 4% compared to the average during previous years. It is thought that this type of stress can cause depression anxiety, heart disease and could also be the cause of work accidents.
The report has also pointed out that those in the public sector seem to be affected more by workplace stress. Many people working in this sector are women which could account for the fact that more women than men are reporting excess levels of stress in the workplace.
While the reduction in injuries while at work may have decreased, the numbers of people who become stressed while at work has increased. These results show that employers need to focus on employee mental health as well as health and safety if they want to avoid heavy fines and compensation payouts.
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