Health and safety campaign launched to reduce falls at work

Monday 1st February 2010

The financial cost of people slipping or falling at work is £800m a year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revealed as it launches a new campaign.

More than 30,000 employees take more than three days off a year due to slips and trips, which the HSE says are the most common cause of major workplace injuries in Britain.

Help and advice will be provided by the HSE for the sectors where the prevalence of falls is the highest, including food, retail, catering, education and construction.

Peter Brown, head of the HSE's work and environment division, said: "These figures highlight the very real and serious nature of preventable slip, trip and fall incidents in the workplace.

"Slips, trips and falls might sound funny but they shatter the lives of thousands of British workers ever year.

"Making improvements doesn't need to cost the earth and we are encouraging people to visit our Shattered Lives website, where they will be able to get simple and cost-effective solutions to help manage slips, trips and falls hazards in their workplace."

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Health and Safety Executive