Handling Injuries Are The Most Commonly Reported Accidents At Work

The Health and Safety Executive keep detailed statistics regarding the types of injury that are reported every year. According to these figures, handling injuries are the most commonly reported type of injury and while these can take many forms, they do not tend to be fatal injuries. More than a million working days are lost every year to employees suffering the ill effects of handling injuries. It is, therefore, in the interest of employers as well as employees to ensure proper training and the use of the most appropriate types of equipment.

Handling injuries vary in their severity and even the injury type sustained. They can range from sprains and strains to breaks and fractures. Trapped fingers as well as cuts and lacerations are also common types of injury that are sustained while handling and moving items. Virtually all industries suffer some degree of handling injuries.

According to the most recent confirmed figures from the HSE, 30,663 handling injuries reported during 2011/2012. During this period there were no fatal injuries of this type but 28,328 injuries led to absences of three days or over while 2,335 injuries were considered major. The average number of days lost per handling injury was 8.8 days and this totals 1.2m days lost to this type of injury through the 12 month period.

Some handling injuries can be prevented through proper training. Lifting and handling courses are a legal requirement in certain types of job or career. Where heavy loads are lifted, it is important that employees are taught to lift properly and in such a way that they have the least chance of injuring themselves. However, handling injuries can be seemingly mundane and can be caused lifting and handling small and lightweight objects.

The water and waste injury had the highest incident rate per employee. There were 451 reported handling injuries for every 100,000 employees but it was in health and social care where there was the largest total number of reported handling injury incidents. 5,800 injuries of this type were reported within this sector, although this is equivalent to just 162 reported incidents per 100,000 employees.

Accidents At WorkNov 18th, 20130 comments