| Most people in the UK have a place of work; | | | | employers reporting 851 major injuries and 2,526 |
| whether it's an office, factory, shop, school, hospital | | | | over-3-day injuries. |
| or even their own home. The employment rate at | | | | A huge number of incidents could be easily avoided |
| the beginning of 2008 was a healthy 74.8 percent. | | | | with the right precautions being taken. For example, |
| Total hours worked reached 942.0 million, meaning | | | | slipping and tripping accounted for 10,458 major |
| more hours are spent at work every day than | | | | accidents to employees in 2002/2003, representing |
| anywhere else. | | | | 37% of the overall total. Many of these could be |
| As so many people spend so much time at work, | | | | avoided simply by being more careful - walking more |
| there is a constant risk of injury. In fact, 28,267 | | | | slowly, looking out for hazards and obstacles, or |
| major injuries to employees were reported in 2006 | | | | avoiding carrying objects that block the carrier's view. |
| 07, as well as 113,083 'less-serious' injuries that | | | | As there are so many risks, many workplaces |
| ensured workers were absent for over 3 days. | | | | operate strict health and safety policies and spend a |
| Added to the number of injuries and illnesses | | | | large amount on training and advice. Major points |
| sustained outside the workplace, these figures | | | | covered are: avoiding slips, trips and falls by assessing |
| highlight the huge amount of money lost by | | | | surroundings and taking care when moving; avoiding |
| businesses every day due to staff absences. | | | | injury by lifting and moving objects properly; avoiding |
| A common workplace in the UK is an office. | | | | injury by correct use of electrical equipment; and |
| Office-based activity is described as including | | | | even avoiding long-term eye damage and posture |
| businesses obtaining and redistributing funds, | | | | problems by operating a work-station properly. |
| insurance, computer consultancy, legal, accounting | | | | Problems and accidents can often occur despite |
| activities, estate agents, architects, advertising and | | | | taking the necessary precautions, however, and |
| industrial cleaning companies. In 2002, it was | | | | there are essential steps that can be taken in the |
| estimated that there were around 205,000 | | | | event of an incident. |
| office-based premises enforced by Local Authorities. | | | | If an accident is not the fault of the employee, |
| The number of people working in those offices | | | | advice sought from a professional, such as personal |
| reached around 4.36 million. | | | | injury solicitors, could help an individual secure |
| With more time spent in a place of employment than | | | | compensation to cover any lost earnings due to time |
| anywhere else, it is obvious that a large number of | | | | they are absent from employment as a result of an |
| accidents will occur there, regardless of how safe a | | | | accident. |
| workplace is made. Offices, due to the fact that so | | | | However serious an injury, it is essential an individual |
| many people work in them, are statistically the site | | | | is not the party who pays for an office accident any |
| of many hidden - and also some obvious - dangers. In | | | | more than they already have physically. |
| fact, in 2001/2002, offices were responsible for | | | | |