Richmond (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Richmond and Wandsworth Councils have paid £379k in staff injury claims since 2022, highlighting concerns over workplace safety and employee compensation.
If their employer was at fault—that is, failed to provide a safe working environment—employees hurt in a workplace accident may be eligible to file a claim for compensation.
Like many other professions, council employees run the danger of getting into an accident at work, which can be a stressful and debilitating experience.
The councils of Richmond and Wandsworth have a diverse workforce spread across multiple departments.
Social workers, teachers, and positions involving housing, traffic, and construction are a few examples of frequent job kinds. The two councils were the target of 20 workplace accident claims in 2022, the most in the previous three years.
Solicitor for JF Law, Lucy Parker, said:
“Councils, like all employers, have a legal obligation and owe a significant duty of care to safeguard their workforce and prevent them from harm.
Unfortunately, council workers can often be involved in workplace accidents ranging from seemingly minor issues like slips on wet floors and trips on uneven surfaces to more serious incidents involving manual handling and defective equipment.”
Additionally, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils‘ compensation payouts for workplace accident cases since 2022 were secured by JF Law.
Over the last three years, the councils have disbursed £379,222.54 to successful claims; the largest payout, £254,863.94, was in 2022–2023.
Over a million workers in Britain are affected by workplace diseases and injuries, which cost the country some £21.6 billion a year.
Around 1,890 non-fatal injuries per 100,000 workers are self-reported in Great Britain at the moment, which is comparable to the pre-coronavirus level of 2018–19.
138 people nationwide lost their lives in work-related incidents in the last 12 months.
As a reflection of the actual hazards involved, councils and local authorities are in charge of work activities in some of the industry sectors with the highest injury rates.
Approximately 70% of fatal injuries are caused by falls from a height, being hit by a moving vehicle, and being struck by a moving object.
The most frequent reasons for accident claims against Richmond and Wandsworth Councils were also disclosed.
Eleven claims were filed for assault, making it the most common cause. Defective workplace claims were filed by council employees seven times.
Lucy Parker said:
“Sometimes, workplace accidents could have been avoided with proper risk assessments and safety measures.
If you’re a council worker who has suffered an injury at work, it’s important to seek legal advice to understand whether you have grounds to pursue a claim for compensation.
Making sure that councils are sticking to their legal responsibilities after an accident is crucial as it can ensure lessons are learned to prevent future incidents.”
For workplace accidents and employers’ liability claims, JF Law offers professional claim and legal advising services. They can assist if you have been hurt on the job while employed by the council.
They have an online claim form that is accessible on their website, as well as a 24-hour helpline.
What safety measures could have prevented these workplace injuries in councils?
Common dangers in council workplaces are identified through thorough and frequent risk evaluations. This enables the implementation of focused preventative efforts and the prioritization of the most hazardous hazards.
Accidents can be decreased by developing explicit, documented safety procedures that outline who is accountable, how tasks should be completed safely, and how to report issues. Frequent safety inspections must be carried out and recorded.
Having enough employees helps avoid overwork and exhaustion, two factors that significantly increase the risk of accidents. Safety awareness and compliance are raised when workers are involved in deciding on safe staffing levels.
The most frequent workplace accidents—slips, trips, and falls—can be prevented by keeping work areas neat, orderly, and clear of obstacles. Hazards must be promptly removed and inspected on a regular basis.