Serious injuries from slips, trips and falls make up almost a third of all injuries reported to the Health and Safety Executive.

Employees in the hospitality, retail and construction industries are most at risk of injury or death through a slip, trip or fall in the workplace, new statistics from the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal.

According to the department, the mishaps accounted for 38% of all major workplace injuries in the food retail and food manufacturing sectors in 2007. The figures were even higher for the hospitality industry – accounting for 50% of major injuries; and the building, plant maintenance and construction sector, comprising 46% of accidents.

In London alone, almost 5,000 people were injured or killed through slips, trips or falls at work during 2007. UK-wide, one person dies every week through these mishaps, whilst serious injuries from slips, trips and falls make up almost a third of all injuries reported to HSE.

HSE announced the statistics as part of its ‘Shattered Lives’ campaign. The initiative is aimed at highlighting the consequences of simple slips, trips and falls and encouraging employers and employees to be safer in the workplace.

Steven Williams, London Health and Safety Executive Director said: “Each year slips, trips and falls cost the British society nearly £811 million. But what these figures don’t reflect is the extent to which these injuries affect individual workers and their families.

“Slips, trips and falls can be viewed as being minor, funny accidents but the effects are not. It can lead to major injuries, and a lifetime of disability or time off work and in worst cases fatalities. ‘Shattered Lives’ will encourage people to change their attitudes: if you spot a hazard, don’t assume ‘somebody else will sort it out’.”

To find out how you can help improve safety for your staff and colleagues, click here or call InfoLine on 0845 3450055.

By Natasha Piscitelli