New year, renewed call to reduce workplace death and injury in Somerset

Date:

31 December 2010

Release No:

840/SR/SW

Employers in Somerset are being urged to start the New Year as they mean to go on when it comes to health and safety.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning that there is no room for complacency despite the total number of work-related fatalities across Britain being at a record low

According to figures released for 2009/10, a total of 244 people received serious workplace injuries, down 30 from the previous year.

There were 2,304 serious workplace injuries recorded in the South West last year compared to 2,475 in 2008/9 and 17deaths - five fewer than the previous year.

Terry Rose, director for HSE in the South West, previous year.

"The fall in numbers of workers killed or injured through their work is encouraging but we must also remember that each death results in a family missing a loved one this festive season.

"Employers cannot be complacent; they must stay vigilant and learn the lessons from the past to ensure they protect their workers in the future. Putting in place simple, straightforward health and safety measures can saves lives. It is not good for companies or their workers if they are off through an injury or ill-health.

Notes to editors

1. HSE publishes a full range of workplace health and safety statistics. These can be viewed at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm
2. The reporting of health and safety incidents at work is a statutory requirement, set out under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). A reportable incident includes: a death or major injury; any accident which does not result in major injury, but the injured person still has to take three or more consecutive days off their normal work to recover; a work-related disease; a member of the public being injured as a result of work-related activity and taken to hospital for treatment; or a dangerous occurrence (which does not result in a serious injury, but could have done).
3. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk

Press enquiries

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ISSUED ON BEHALF OF HSE BY COI NEWS AND PR (SOUTH WEST)