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Workers told to watch their step

Sue Carr
19/10/2005

A SAFETY campaign has been launched in the High Peak to reduce the number of falls at work.

Falls are the most common cause of workplace injuries and the number recorded has increased each year for five years.

Last year the total in the UK topped 40,000, which cost approximately £800m, £500m of which was borne by businesses.

The 'Watch Your Step' campaign - run by High Peak Borough Council and the Health and Safety Executive - aims to highlight how serious personal injury falls at work can be and to raise awareness about the simple, cost-effective measures which can prevent them.

The three main causes of workplace falls are slipping on wet or dry substances, tripping over obstacles such as furniture and cables and human error including failing to manage risks.

High Peak councillor Glynis Kirk said: "The good news is that most of these incidents are preventable if regular risk assessments are carried out in the workplace. It is also important that employees are encouraged to be vigilant about the risks and think seriously about how they may be able to make their working environment safer."

Call the helpline on 0845 3450055 or visit www.watchyourstep.hse.gov.uk.