No matter where you work, workplace safety should always be paramount for employers and employees alike. From back strain typically found in offices to more severe crushings or maimings found in factories, understanding safety in your workplace is essential for the wellbeing of yourself and colleagues.
But what are the biggest causes of workplace injury? In this helpful guide, we’ll run you through the most common causes of workplace accidents and provide insights into how your employer could prevent them, as well as whether or not you might be entitled to take legal action for each.
The biggest causes of workplace injuries
We’ve put together a list of the most common workplace injuries in the UK:
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries across all industries in the UK. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), these accidents accounted for a huge 31% of reported non-fatal workplace injuries in 2023/24. Common causes include wet floors, loose cables, and uneven surfaces.
Your employer should be keeping you safe from slips, trips and falls by maintaining a well-lit workplace, providing clear signage and keeping walkways hazard free.
Manual handling and lifting injuries
If you handle heavy objects incorrectly, it could lead to a manual handling injury. These usually include back strains, pulled muscles, and even chronic conditions. Such injuries are unfortunately common in workplaces like warehouses, factories and hospitals.
Your employer is legally required to provide training on safe lifting techniques and should supply equipment like trolleys or hoists where necessary. Risk assessments should also be conducted regularly to identify and mitigate manual handling risks.
Being struck by moving objects
Particularly common in construction sites, factories, and warehouses, trauma from moving objects is an injury that poses a significant risk to all workers’ health. Be it falling tools, machinery or vehicles, your employer should set up systems to prevent this kind of accident from occurring.
Preventative measures can include protective barriers, correct PPE and regular risk assessments to spot hazards that might occur.
Falls from Height
Working at height is one of the most dangerous tasks performed in workplaces across the UK. Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or roofs are a leading cause of workplace fatalities, especially in industries like construction, telecommunications, and maintenance. These accidents often occur due to unstable surfaces, lack of proper equipment, or insufficient training.
Your employer must provide you with secure platforms and proper PPE, like hardhats, safety harnesses and guardrails.
Acts of violence in the workplace
Though a much less common occurrence in UK workplaces, acts of violence must not be tolerated by management as they can put everyone in the business at risk of harm. Physical attacks or verbal abuse can cause both physical and psychological harm to employees, so must be stamped out as soon as they begin.
It’s up to your employer to implement security measures like CCTV and alarm systems, as well as provide training on conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques.
Your employer’s responsibilities and duty of care
According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a legal duty to provide a safe working environment for their employees — that duty of care includes:
- Regular risk assessments
- Regular training of all staff
- Regular maintenance of facilities and equipment
It’s also best practice for your employer to keep an accident book on-site, so that you’ll have evidence of an accident if the worst happens and you’d like to take legal action.
Your rights if you’re injured at work
Personal injury law in the UK relies on proving the party that is at fault was negligent in some way, and that this negligence caused your injury. The process of proving this negligence works like this:
- Report — Report the accident as soon as it happens in your employer’s accident book. This will act as a key piece of evidence, so be as detailed as possible.
- Document — Document as much evidence from the scene of the accident as possible. This includes photographs, witness statements, and medical records to support your claim.
- Begin your claim — Kick-off your claim by bringing your case to Express Solicitors. Our experts will take it from here.
How Express Solicitors can help
Workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility, but employers hold the legal duty of care to protect their staff. By understanding the biggest causes of workplace injury and taking preventive measures, we can all reduce accidents and create safer environments for all.
If you’ve been injured at work, Express Solicitors is on hand to help you throughout the claims process and fight for the justice you deserve. Get in touch today. Call us on 0161 904 4661 or Start your claim online