HSE Calls For Safety Improvements

Employers in Scotland have been urged by workplace injury lawyers to do everything they can to raise awareness of health and safety in 2013, after figures revealed that 20 workers were killed while at work in Scotland in 2011/12.

The new research from the Health and Safety Executive also found that 2,240 major injuries at work in Scotland were reported to the organisation over the period. In addition, nearly 7,500 people suffered injuries which resulted in them being absent for at least three days.

In total across the UK, 173 people were killed at work over the period, with more than 23,000 suffering a major injury.

Workplace injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell specialise in helping those injured in accidents at work to get justice over the incidents, as well as access to vital funds which go towards their ongoing care and rehabilitation. The team also work for the families of those killed in such incidents.

Elaine Russell, a Partner and specialist in workplace injury at the law firm’s Glasgow office, said: “The New Year often means a new start for many people and we hope that employers can embrace this idea by making a renewed effort to promote health and safety at work in 2013.

“There are a host of ways that employers can review their standards, from making improvements to training and supervision to also ensuring that they are fully assessing risks and providing the necessary safety equipment.

“Any number of people killed at work is simply too many and it is vital that every care is taken on improving these statistics over the next few months and beyond.

“Too many people are hurt in incidents which should have been avoided, so it is vital that we see greater determination from all employers to improve these worrying findings.”