During 2003/2004 the Health and Safety Executive prosecuted 11,295 companies and organisations for violation of health and safety law.

Employers are responsible for ensuring that the workplace and systems of work are safe for the employees and to ensure that the risk of accidents is kept to a minimum. An injury sustained by an employee whilst at work could give rise to a claim for compensation even if the accident and or injuries were caused by a co-worker or visitor to the workplace.

Accidents at work?

Points to note:

• The most common injuries sustained at work are back and arm injuries.
• It is essential that all accidents are reported and logged in the accident book BI510.

Manual handling

Many workplace accidents occur when employees are lifting and/or moving heavy and large items. An employer should ensure that enough staff are available for these types of duties and if they do not then they may be in breach of the Manual Handling Regulations.

Accidents and injury caused by work equipment:

• Some employees can be injured by the equipment that they use.
• The employer must ensure that all work equipment is safe.
• The employee may be responsible to check their own equipment, but overall responsibility lies with the employer.

Accidents at work caused due to lack of training and supervision:

• Every year a number of accidents in the workplace are caused by the fact that employees have not been provided enough or sufficient training to ensure that they can do their jobs safely.
• If employers fail to provide the correct amount of training and supervision for all employees and an accident/injury occurs, then the employer may be liable to pay compensation.
• Training records should be kept for all levels of staff training.

Many more employees are able to put in claims for compensation due to the ease of accessing no win no fee  Solicitors.

What happens if an employee puts in a compensation claim?

1. You will receive a letter from your employee’s solicitor.
2. On receipt of this letter you should contact your own insurance provider.
3. Your insurance provider will deal with the claim.
4. You will be asked by them to provide documented proof of the following...

Copies of:

• The accident book entry. Employers have to keep under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), an accident book. The Accident Book 'BI510' is a valuable document that organisations can use to record accident information as part of their management of health and safety.
• The RIDDOR report.  http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/online.htm
• Sick notes.
• The previous six months earnings.
• Proof of payment of wages or statutory sick pay during the period of absence due to the accident. The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 requires all employers to pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
• Training records.
• Risk assessments.
• Licences/Industry qualifications where applicable.

Remember to keep copies of everything including any correspondence.

• Ensure that workplace and systems of work are safe for the employees and enough or sufficient training is provided to ensure that they can do their jobs safely. Not only are you meeting the legal requirement of the Health and Safety at Work act http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg244.pdf you are providing a safer work environment.
• Ensure your employees receive the correct training.
• Document training.
• Review training where required.
• Communicate your companies 'Health and Safety' procedures with your employees.
• Keep documentation of all communication.
• Carry out risk assessments and record the significant findings.