Major Increase in Serious Workplace Injuries Reported in UK

Berkshire local newspaper, The Wokingham Times, has reported that serious workplace injuries in the borough soared by 25% in 2009/10. Although there were no fatalities among those injured, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has urged local employers to redouble their commitment to health and safety.

Speaking to the paper, Mr Mike Wilcock, head of operations for the HSE in the south east, said: “Employers have a legal duty to protect their workers and I would encourage them to make it their New Year’s resolution to ensure they continue to take sensible precautions to prevent incidents in the workplace”.

Commenting on the general statistics for the whole of the south east of England region – which saw a reduction in the total number of all workplace injuries but an increase in the number of fatalities – Mr Wilcock continued “The reduction of employees injured through their work is encouraging, but we must remember that each death results in a family missing a loved one this festive season.”

According to the HSE Report for 2010, there were 3343 serious workplace injuries in the south east region and 15 fatalities.