SCOTLAND Estimated 3.1 Million Lost Work Days Have Massive Impact To Economy

Employers across Scotland are being asked to ensure their workers are kept safe in 2010 as Britain’s safety watchdog urges improvement on last year.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in 2009 almost 222 work related incidents occurred across Scotland each week, for an annual total of 11,533 people being killed or injured. HSE hope this figure will act a stark reminder to employers and staff to make their workplaces safer this New Year and drive down casualty rates.

The 2008/09 statistics show 26 people were killed at work across Scotland, 2,735 sustained major injuries and 8,894 suffered injuries requiring more than an absence of three days. The figures compare with 31 fatalities, 2,822 major injuries and 9,156 cases of injuries requiring more than three days absence in 2007/08.

Including other absences due to ill health caused by working activities, this equates to an estimated 3.1 million lost work days at a massive cost to the economy and individual businesses, which is why HSE says it makes perfect sense to make work environments safe. The organization warns if employers insist on compromising the health of their employees then it will not hesitate in taking enforcement action.

Dr Paul Stollard, HSE Director Scotland, noted, “The New Year is an opportune time to reflect on the number of incidents in the past 12 months, and try and stop the same patterns being repeated. Slips, trips and falls from height are consistently the chief causes of death and serious injury. Many of these injuries are entirely preventable. We implore businesses to take practical action to manage the risks people face in their day-to-day work.” Britain boasts one of the best health and safety records in Europe but with 180 workplace deaths nationally last year, HSE say there is still much to be done. (workersxzcompxzkit)

Stollard added, “We will continue to tackle these problems through our campaigns; with partners in Scotland’s health and safety community; and by taking enforcement action whenever it is appropriate. We are working much more closely now with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service through its specialist Health and Safety Division and employers across Scotland should take note that fines per conviction were on average nearly £50,000 ($81,105) last year.”

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: [email protected] or 860-553-6604.

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