Payout for work accidents
It has been revealed that nearly £3 million has been paid out in personal injury claims to public-sector workers in the south west, in 2008.
It was exposed that the union, Unison, said that it had won 242 claims cases for members in the south west of the UK during 2009.
According to the organisation, the majority of the compensation awarded to people followed back injuries and slips and falls.
Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, stated that the figure represented a “huge amount of pain and suffering” for members and families.
He added: “Sadly, many of these accidents could and should have been prevented by employers. It is clear to me that some employers are still not taking the necessary steps to safeguard their staff.”
Last month Pam Waldron, the Health and Safety Executive's north-east head of operations, said that it implored companies to take practical action to manage the risks people face in their day-to-day work.
Work from height accident
In similar news, it has been discovered that a scaffolding worker has received personal injuries after falling from height.
The work accident occurred after the builder fell from an eight-storey building and miraculously survived with only serious injuries.
The 29-year-old construction worker was part of a construction team that was helping to dismantle scaffolding at a 20-story building.
The worker plummeted from the building when a plank snapped under his feet. He then fell from the 16th floor where he was working and landed on his back on scaffolding off the 8th floor. He celebrated this Christmas in a hospital bed.
Injury lawyer commented on the incident, noting that regulations need to be set into place: “For him to have survived with not much more physical scarring than four cracked ribs, and reported injuries to his neck, shoulder and leg is nothing less than miraculous. This was a very, very lucky construction worker.”
The accident has caused fury amongst unions. An organiser of a campaign group for worker’s rights stated: “There are strict regulations for most workers. No one is supposed to work without a training certificate.
"Every worker has to be supplied with a full body harness and his/her own lifeline. These regulations were blatantly broken.”
The HSE has also urged employers to make 2010 a safe year to work: “The New Year is an opportune time to reflect on the number of incidents in the past 12 months, and try and stop the same patterns being repeated.
“Many of these injuries are entirely preventable. We implore employers to exercise leadership in their workplaces - showing commitment, setting example and making sure practical action is taken to manage day-to-day risks.
“And there is plenty of evidence to show that involving employees with this also improves health and safety performance.”
Updated on 05/01/2010