Injury Rates 'At Lowest Level'

A workplace injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell has welcomed new research which highlights improving health and safety standards among specialist contractors.

New figures from the National Specialist Contractors’ Council revealed that the fatal injury rate for 2009-10 was 0.6 per 100,000 workers, which was lower than the industry-wide rate or 2.2 per 100,000 reported by the Health and Safety Executive.

In addition, all injury rates are now at their lowest level since the organisation started collecting accident information six years ago.

David Urpeth, head of workplace injury claims at Irwin Mitchell, said: “The release of such positive health and safety figures is undoubtedly great news for all specialist contractors working in the construction industry.

“However, the findings should not become a reason for such firms to relax their views or guidance on the safety of employees, as there is still plenty of work to be done to get the figures even lower.

“For instance, many injuries are still being caused by problems like slips and trips, lifting and handling – issues which can easily be avoided through the use of proper preventative measures.”