Trips and falls lead to over a third of compensation claims, businesses warned
Scottish Compensation has released the findings from a study into the most common accidents that lead to compensation claims against businesses. The research shows that workplace slips, trips and falls as these make up more than a third of personal injuries.
36% of workplace injuries are categorised as slips, trips and falls, so businesses are being called to put safety measures in place to guard against them and educate employees on ways to avoid them.
Nearly 5 million sick days were taken in the UK over the past 12 months due to accidents at work. Not only is the money paid for injury compensation claims a significant cost to businesses, but so is the reduced productivity in the lost man hours.
Figures from Scottish Compensation show that in Scotland each year, nearly 3000 workers are killed and 10000 are injured in work-related accidents.
Slips, trip and falls commonly take place at construction sites, often due to tools and machinery left lying around. The report also showed that many workplace accidents also happen in offices, meaning all businesses need to be aware of the risks and implications of not providing a safe working environment.