Ignorance isn't bliss as workplace falls increase

- HSE survey reveals two thirds of agricultural workers are unaware of risks

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Ignorance is exacerbating the incidence of workplace falls in the agriculture sector, according to an opinion survey published today by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as part of its Watch Your Step campaign.

Over 300 incidents were reported to HSE last year but as agriculture has one of the lowest reporting rates of any sector the actual figure is likely to be significantly higher. According to the opinion survey, two thirds of agricultural workers are unaware of the slip and trip risks or don't see the hazards as a problem and all the workers admitted to a lack of warning signs.

"When one in two of the agriculture employees surveyed have suffered an injury from a slip or trip incident at work and a third of those injured were off work for three to four weeks, the extent of the problem is plain to see and it can have an acute effect on both the individuals and businesses involved," said Justin McCracken, Acting Chief Executive, HSE.

Nationally, a slip or trip incident takes place every three minutes and every hour someone breaks a bone. All in all, it is estimated that workplace falls cost the UK economy approximately £800 million each year, of which £500 million is directly borne by businesses.

According to the survey, the three most common causes of workplace falls in agriculture are:

· Tripping over an object on the floor (43 per cent)

· Tripping on an uneven floor covering (29 per cent)

· Tripping on an uneven surface inside (29 per cent)

All of these hazards can easily be removed at little or no cost to businesses.

"There really needs to be increased awareness about the severity of the problem so that the risks are treated seriously and incidents are prevented before it's too late. Our message is clear - don't just see it, sort it," Justin McCracken continued.

Watch Your Step is a cross-industry campaign in partnership with other stakeholders, including Local Authorities, which aims to combat the increasing number of workplace falls by highlighting the scale of the problem for UK businesses; encouraging people to take the risks seriously; and raising awareness about cost-effective measures that can be put in place to reduce incidents and keep the costs to a minimum.