Employers urged to make Wales a safer place to work

Employers urged to make Wales a safer place to work

New statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that the estimated number of people suffering from work-related illnesses in Wales rose by 19,000 last year. This brings the latest figure to 64,000 people.

In addition, the data shows there was a rise in the number of people fatally injured at work in Wales in 2009/10 - seven, up from the previous year.

The rise in work related illnesses and fatalities in Wales contrasts with a decrease in the overall number of serious injuries. There were 1,424 serious workplace injuries recorded in Wales last year compared to 1,638 in 2008/9.

Terry Rose, HSE Director for Wales, said:

"These figures show that there are still numerous cases where the health and safety of workers is still not being taken seriously. The fact that seven people failed to come home from work in Wales last year because of avoidable safety failings is a terrible tragedy.

"Health and safety needs to be at the very heart of the business and not seen as an add-on, tick-box exercise at best or an unnecessary burden at worst.

"Last year in Wales we secured convictions for 31 breaches of health and safety law by companies and individuals. We will continue to target those who fail to meet the standards that employees have a right to expect."

Across England, Scotland and Wales, 28.5 million working days (equivalent to 1.2 days per worker) were lost to injury and ill health last year.

HSE continues to take a tough line with firms in Wales who put workers at risk by breaking safety legislation. It brought 34 offences to court in 2009/10, 31 of which led to conviction.

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