Workplace death toll rises in Nottinghamshire
Employers in Nottinghamshire are being urged to start the new year with a stronger commitment to health and safety. The warning from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) comes as the number of work-related fatalities in the county rose, in contrast to the number of work related-deaths across Britain being at a record low.
However, despite the three fatalities recorded in 2009/10, the number of major injuries to workers in the county fell. Five hundred and twenty people were harmed over the year, down from 525 in the previous 12 months.
There were 2,140 major workplace injuries recorded in the East Midlands last year compared to 2,224 in 2008/9 and 12 deaths – one more than the previous year.
Andrew Turner, principal inspector for HSE in Nottinghamshire, said: “The national fall in numbers of workers killed or injured through their work is encouraging but we must also remember that each death results in a family missing a loved one this festive season.
“Employers cannot be complacent; they must stay vigilant and learn the lessons from the past to ensure they protect their workers in the future. Putting in place simple, straightforward, health and safety measures can saves lives. It is not good for companies or their workers if they are off through an injury or ill-health.”
