While many workplace injuries can be easily prevented, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report in their most recent release of figures that in 2008/09, there were an estimated 726,000 injuries at work. With such a high figure of injuries sustained, clearly, more cooperation is needed from both employers and employees to ensure a safer working environment. Solicitors Search has put together a few important tips to help you prevent two of the more common workplace injuries. 

1.        Back Pain

Back pain is suffered by many workers who engage in physical labour. For employers to help reduce the number of employees suffering from this condition, consider making physical jobs easier. For instance, instead of having employees bend, lift and carry heavy materials, employers can consider workers moving these loads on wheels. Employers should also consider carrying out regular risk assessments.

For workers suffering from back pain, report your injury to your employer and/or safety representative. Take regular breaks to get up and stretch; try to avoid doing the same movement for prolonged periods of time; and when your employer introduces new systems to reduce risks, make sure you cooperate with the new arrangements. If you have reported your back pain and/or other workplace injuries to your employer who has subsequently not helped to accommodate you, you may need to seek the advice of an Employment Solicitor about what recourse to take.

2.        Upper Limb Disorders

Upper limb disorders are aches, pains, tensions and disorders (often caused by or made worse by work), which involve any part of the arm from the fingertips to the shoulder and neck area. For employers to reduce the risk of workers sustaining these types of injuries, consider risks when initially setting up work stations rather than redesigning them at a later point.

Try to make the stations adjustable to each worker rather than making the worker adjust to the station. If the work involves a lot of repetition, give the workers short and frequent breaks, and consider allowing workers to rotate jobs amongst team members. Workers, once again, ensure that you report your symptoms to your employer as soon as possible to avoid further injury.

These are just two of the many types of workplace injuries that people suffer from. Regardless of what type of injury is sustained, remember that if a worker reports an injury to their employer and nothing is done, the employer is in breach of their duties and further action can be taken.

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