New HSE Figures Released

A leading workplace injury expert has called for the manufacturing and recycling sectors to continue making improvements to their health and safety figures.

David Urpeth, a Partner at Irwin Mitchell, reacted after research by the Health and Safety Executive revealed that the total number of major injuries reported in the manufacturing sector fell by 11 per cent between April 2009 and March 2010.

It was also revealed that 22 people died in the sector over the period, which was lower than an average of 33 over the past five years.

Further statistics published by the HSE highlighted that the number of major injuries to employees in waste and recycling fell by ten per cent, with provisional figures showing that four employees were killed.

Accident at work claims expert David Urpeth said: “While it is always welcome to see a reduction in the number of people being injured in any sector, there is still plenty of work to do to ensure all employees are safe from potential risks.

“So many workplace injuries occur as a result of errors which could have been avoided had the correct standards been adhered to in the first place.

“It is time for businesses in the manufacturing and recycling sectors to do all they can to prevent both fatal and serious incidents in the workplace once and for all.”