With ever increasing litigation against employers for workplace injuries, it is vitally important that employers work hard to ensure that their workplaces are as safe as possible and all documentation relating to procedures, training, information, risk assessments etc. are communicated to their employees and records retained (a legal requirement if you employ 5 or more persons).

An example of recent compensation awards to injured employees highlights the potential burden companies could expect if Health & Safety in their organisation is not properly managed.

• An employee suffered career-ending back injuries on a ferry when travelling home after working away was awarded £140,000.
• After being temporarily affected by fumes (Highly Toxic Phosgene), an employee was awarded £1,200.
• As a result of a serious wrist injury in a workplace fall when ladders placed on an uneven floor collapsed, the employee received £90,000 in compensation.
• Whilst cutting a steel barrel with an acetylene torch, an employee suffered a severe hand injury leading to the amputation of a finger, he received a £100,000 payout.
• Following a road traffic accident outside of work hours an employee secured nearly £2,000 in compensation as he suffered whiplash and was off work for three days following the accident.
• After developing vibration white finger (VWF) then carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) caused by vibration and repetitive work, an employee received £20,000 compensation.
• Having been forced to leave her job after becoming sick with stress, a female employee was awarded £16,500 compensation.

Without delving into the individual details of the circumstances which resulted in the successful litigation against those companies, it is reasonable to assume that had those companies managed their Health & Safety more effectively and retained records, the financial burden, bad press, loss of business, effect on employee morale etc., together with the detrimental effects to the valuable employee could have been avoided.

The full utilisation of the Safety Management System by our clients enables your company to manage its Health & Safety effectively, and in the event of a claim for compensation being realised (remote if your H&S is managed effectively), the
documentation retained and records held, will significantly assist your Employers Liability Insurers in defending the claim to prevent or at least reduce the financial impact to your company.