North Warwickshire has the highest rate of workplace injuries in England and Wales,according to latest figures.
National not-for-profit campaign group for injured people, the Association of Personal Lawyers (APIL) is highlighting the reality behind the figures for workers in the area.
“In many cases, workplace injuries happen when someone did not take proper care to protect employees and colleagues,” said APIL president Jonathan Wheeler.“Suffering lies behind these figures. An injury can often have a knock-on effect on family members too,particularly if an injured person is unable to work or care for children whilst recovering, or if they need help with day-to-day living”.
In North Warwickshire, 1,390 workplace injuries were reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for every 100,000 employees in the area for the year 2014-15. The overall workplace injury rate for England and Wales is just 288.
“Some areas are more likely to have more injuries because of the nature of the local industry. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the most dangerous industriesfor workers. Agriculture has the most workplace injuries and fatalities by far,” said Mr Wheeler. “But every worker in every industry should be able to expect to turn up for a day’s work and return home unharmed.
“Health and safety are often considered to be ‘red tape’ and cutting red tape is high on the Government’s agenda,” Mr Wheeler went on. “The safety of our workforces,however, is more important than anything else.”
Top ten highest injury rates by local authority:
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Local authority
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Total injuries rate (per 100,000 employees) 2014/15
|
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North Warwickshire
|
1390
|
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Broadland
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943.6
|
|
Sutton
|
862.9
|
|
Selby
|
685.1
|
|
Daventry
|
684.4
|
|
South Staffordshire
|
670.7
|
|
Knowsley
|
670.6
|
|
North East Derbyshire
|
648.9
|
|
South Derbyshire
|
618.8
|
|
Blaby
|
618.4
|