Businesses in Cheshire West should make workers wellbeing top priority says safety watchdog

Businesses across the borough should make the wellbeing of workers their top priority, according to Britain’s safety watchdog.

Marking its 40th anniversary the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is highlighting new figures which show that three people lost their lives while at work in Cheshire West and Chester in 2013/14 and 408 suffered injury.

That compares to a single death and 481 injuries the previous year.

Overall, the latest figures are said to show that those involved in construction, manufacturing and waste and recycling are most at risk today with agriculture another industry where sustained improvement is needed.

Local employers are being urged to review whether they can do more to protect their workforce.

Areas of particular concern include falls from height, work on machinery that is poorly maintained and guarded and failing to properly manage workplace transport.

Steven Smith, HSE’s head of operations for the North West, said: “The families of the workers in the North West who sadly lost their lives last year have just had to spend the festive period without their loved ones, while hundreds of other workers were made ill through their work or had their lives changed forever by a major injury.

“The figures offer encouragement that we are continuing to head in the right direction but they also show that we can still go further and challenge the industries where there is room to do more.

“Workplace conditions have improved dramatically in the past four decades but as employers plan and prepare for the new financial year they need to ensure that health, safety and welfare is a clear focus.”

Chemical engineer Judith Hackitt, who is chairwoman of the HSE, added: “In the 40 years since HSE was formed, we’ve worked with businesses, workers and government to make Britain a healthier and safer place to work.

“Thousands of serious injuries have been prevented and work-related deaths have reduced by 85%.

“HSE has helped Britain become one of the safest places to work in the world.

“But we must also recognise that there is still a big challenge to prevent the suffering which does still occur.”

She says the annual statistics always lead to mixed emotions including sympathy for those who have suffered injury themselves and for the families and workmates of those who have lost their lives but points out: “For the last eight years we have consistently recorded one of the lowest rates of fatal injuries to workers among the leading industrial nations in Europe.”