Fewer workplace injuries and deaths says HSE
THE number of serious workplace injuries in the North West fell by 4% last year.
The number of fatalities was also lower, down by four, or 21%, to 19 in 2009-10, but safety bosses have warned there is no room for complacency.
Regional director of the Health and Safety Executive David Sowerby said: “Employers cannot get complacent; they must stay vigilant and learn the lessons from the past to ensure that they protect their workers in the future.
“Putting in place simple, straightforward, health and safety measures can save lives and minimise the possibility of injury and ill-health.”
Mr Sowerby’s warning came just weeks after two workers were killed at the Sonae chipboard factory in Knowsley, Merseyside.
During 2009-10 there were 3,301 serious workplace injuries compared to 3,432 in 2008-9. Of these 716 were in Lancashire, down 4.6%; 1,252 in Greater Manchester, down 1.6%; 576 in Merseyside, down 2%; 489 in Cheshire, down 8.5%; and 268 in Cumbria, down 6%.
Cumbria had the worst record on fatalities with six workplace deaths, up from one last time. This was followed by Manchester where four people died, down from nine in 2008-9. In both Lancashire and Cheshire three people were killed at work, down from five in both counties last time. Merseyside saw three fatalities, the same as the previous year.
