7:30am Tuesday 6th January 2009
NEARLY 20,000 people were killed or injured in work-related accidents across the north west last year according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
A total of 19,135 people were involved in industrial accidents, averaging out at 368 incidents each week.
The toll, which includes 28 deaths, is a stark reminder to the region's employers and workers to make their workplaces safer in 2009.
Warrington ranked the highest in Cheshire for work-related accidents with 776 people injured and one person killed last year.
Halton came second with 382 industrial mishaps.
David Sowerby, the HSE’s north west regional operations manager, said: “Behind these statistics are cases of real suffering and, for some, hardship through loss of income.
“We are asking that businesses take practical action to manage the risks people face in their day-to-day work.
“Each year at this time HSE reflects on the number of incidents in the preceding 12 months and each year the same patterns are repeated.”
HSE inspectors found falling from heights and being struck by falling or moving objects were among the chief causes of death and injury.
Mr Sowerby added: “If workplaces could eliminate these factors, both of them avoidable, these startling figures would be hugely reduced.
“Simple assessments of risk, ease of tasks, accessibility, exposure to harmful substances and training can prevent many incidents.
"HSE works with a number of partners to provide free advice and education to those both carrying out and managing work and we need businesses and self-employed people to work with us to help reduce injuries and make the north west a safer place to work.”
HSE urges businesses to act by: l Using safe platforms with guarded edges for working at height.
l Securing ladders properly where they have to be used.
l Securing loads before moving them.
l Laying workplaces out to keep vehicles and pedestrians apart, where possible.
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