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MORE than 36 million working days were lost in the UK due to workplace ill health and injury during 2021/22, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
In the latest set of statistics published by the HSE, there were 1.8 million cases of ill health among the UK workforce over the past year, including 500,000 musculoskeletal injuries, largely among workers in agriculture, forestry, fishing and construction.
Most shockingly of all there were 12,000 deaths from lung cancer – 2,544 of which were deaths from mesothelioma as a direct result of exposure to asbestos.
Here, the team at Acorn Safety Services takes a closer look at the statistics and the steps you can take now to keep yourself and those around you safe in the workplace.
Put health and safety at the top of your agenda
There is nothing more important than the health and wellbeing of your team whether you work in an office or on a construction site.
With slips, trips and falls accounting for the majority of incidents in the workplace, making sure you and your staff stay vigilant at all times is essential. During the past year, handling, lifting and carrying heavy objects accounted for around 18% of incidents at work so making sure your staff are aware of the hidden dangers is really important too.
Sadly, 123 workers died from injuries sustained at work during 2021/22 – many of them in construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing and manufacturing.
Taking the time to get on top of any health and safety issues now can prevent the worst from happening – and if you need guidance and support, the team at Acorn Safety Services is always here to help.
Asbestos – a ticking timebomb you can’t ignore
While it rarely gets coverage in the news, the threat from asbestos remains significant as this latest set of statistics show.
The use of asbestos was banned in new buildings in the UK more than 20 years ago but the risk to health comes from the asbestos which is contained in older buildings – such as hospitals, shops, factories and schools – many of which were built in the years after the Second World War.
If you have never had your premises checked for asbestos – or if you are unsure – you should take action immediately to arrange an asbestos survey.
Carried out by one of team of experts, a survey will give you the answers you are looking for as well as a clear plan of action to protect those around you.
And if you are planning any building work of any kind you must remember your ABC – Asbestos Before Construction.
Accidently damaging asbestos during repairs of building work will release asbestos fibres into the air putting staff and customers at much greater risk of developing mesothelioma in the future.
Protect yourself by getting in touch with our team today.
A health and safety partner you can trust
With decades of experience in health and safety, we work with some of the biggest businesses in the UK as a trusted consultant and health and safety partner.
We offer a wide range of services to help ensure your business remains fully compliant with the latest regulations.
As well as being a leading health and safety and CDM consultancy, we specialise in fire risk assessments and legionella testing, both of which need to be carried out regularly.
As a fully independent health and safety consultancy, the team at Acorn Safety Services will always impartial advice you can rely on.
For all your health and safety needs visit https://acornhealthandsafety.co.uk/ today or contact us at info@acornhealthandsafety.co.uk or on 01604 930380.
