Accidents can happen in any workplace, not only those that have a reputation for being dangerous. Some of the most common hazards include slips, falls, and injuries caused by strain, all of which can happen in any workplace if proper safety protocols are not implemented and followed. These accidents are almost always preventable, which means that organisations can be held legally liable and face significant penalties when employees are injured.
Data from the Health and Safety Executive shows that there were 604,000 self-reported injuries in UK workplaces in 2023/24. The possible consequences for businesses include legal liability, lost productivity and working days, and increased insurance premiums if the injured party seeks compensation through an accident at work claim. Understanding the most common types and causes of accidents can help businesses to prevent them, minimise risk and avoid legal liability for any incidents that occur. Here, the expert personal injury solicitors at Switalskis outline the top 10 most common workplace hazards that businesses should look out for and work to prevent.
1. Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips, trips and falls are the most common type of non-fatal workplace accident across all UK industries. There are several risk factors that can make an accident more likely, and employers should take these into account when implementing health and safety measures. If a workplace has areas of low lighting, tight hallways that may be easily obstructed, frayed carpets, trailing electrical wires, or a risk of spills, employers should take action.
Each of these challenges has its own solution. Training can make employees aware of the risks of obstructing walkways with clutter, while spill kits should be installed in areas where there is a risk of floors becoming slippery.
2. Lifting and Carrying
Employees are often asked to lift and carry heavy objects, either as a one-off or as part of their regular duties. In either case, they must be given training on correct lifting and handling techniques. If no such training is given and workers sustain injuries while carrying heavy objects, the employer may be held liable. This can sometimes be avoided by using equipment or machinery to carry out these tasks. It is worthwhile for employers to consider the best (and most risk-free) way to complete a task before assigning it to a worker who is at risk of injury.
3. Ergonomics
Related to lifting and carrying are the injuries that can arise due to ergonomic hazards in the workplace. One of the biggest problems is unsuitable workstations. Consider whether providing adjustable chairs or making other optimisations could reduce the risk of injury. Among the most common issues are repetitive strain injuries, which workers may sustain if they are asked to perform the same tasks over and over again without sufficient breaks. Some activities are higher risk than others and it is important to account for the need for breaks or to vary activities during risk assessments and when assigning work to specific employees.
4. Stress
It’s not only physical injuries that can enable workers to claim compensation. If an employee has reported symptoms of stress and their employer has failed to address this, the company may be found liable for the resulting health impact. Employers should manage workloads, communicate effectively, and assess mental health risks in the same way as physical risks to meet their legal obligation to minimise work-related stress.
5. Falls from Height
While slips and falls on the same level are the most common type of injury, falls from height can have much more serious consequences. This can actually describe two types of injuries, both of which can be fatal in the most serious cases: a person falling while working at height, and an object falling from height and hitting someone below. In any industry where work takes place at height, strict safety procedures should be followed and monitored for compliance. Workers should be provided with suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) and any tools should be secured correctly.
6. Vehicle Accidents
Like falls from height, accidents involving vehicles are a leading cause of fatal accidents and are more common in workplaces like construction sites or warehouses, although they can technically occur in many other working environments. If site vehicles are to occupy shared space with pedestrians, separate routes should be clearly marked and safe walkways should be installed as far away as possible from vehicle traffic.
7. Machinery Accidents
A related concern is that of machinery accidents, which can occur in any working environment. While heavy machinery and plant may pose a greater risk, workers can sustain lacerations, fractures and even crush injuries if they are not trained to use machinery and equipment correctly, or if suitable safety mechanisms are not in use. Some equipment may also require PPE to operate safely, and clothing standards should be enforced to limit any risk of being caught in moving machine parts.
8. Electricity
Machinery and equipment can also pose electrical hazards, particularly if they are faulty or if wiring is exposed. Repair work should be carried out by a trained electrician and equipment that poses a risk of shocks or burns should be replaced as soon as possible. Portable appliance testing can also help a business to verify the safety of its equipment and avoid legal liability for electric shocks and other accidents.
9. Fire
Electrical faults can also lead to fire, which is one of the most significant potential causes of injuries. Workplaces have a range of legal obligations to minimise the risk of fire injuries through installing smoke alarms, carrying out regular tests and fire drills, and providing fire extinguishers and other safety equipment that relates to the specific risks present on the site. For example, a kitchen may need fire blankets to extinguish stove-top fires, while an office should provide carbon dioxide extinguishers to tackle electrical fires.
10. Exposure to Hazardous Substances
Burns are not only caused by fire. Organisations that use hazardous substances are subject to strict regulations about how they are stored and maintained, and the steps they must take in the event of spills. Hazardous substances can include several relatively standard cleaning agents, and some employers overlook the fact that these must be handled according to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations.
The purpose of a risk assessment is to identify the specific risks your workplace poses. While this list offers a starting point, it is important to tailor your assessment to make sure that your health and safety procedures are fit for purpose and keep the risk of injuries to an absolute minimum.
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