An accident at work is defined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as ‘an event that results in injury or ill health’. This covers a broad range of circumstances that can result in an injury or illness in the workplace. Everything from a trip on loose cables, to contracting an industrial disease through exposure to hazardous chemicals at work can be classed as an accident at work. Employers legally have a duty of care to protect their employees in the workplace.
This can be through a variety of different ways including:
- Providing appropriate health and safety training.
- Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, high-vis clothing, and shoe covers, etc.
- Training staff on how to use machinery and carry out work practices safely.
- Carrying out regular maintenance of machinery and equipment.
- Conducting regular risk assessments.
- Displaying appropriate hazard warning signs such as ‘wet floor’ signage and cleaning up spillages.