According to the HSE, accidents in the workplace caused by moving objects account for around 700 reported accidents per year, 100 of which are classed as major injuries. One third of these injuries are caused by falling objects. It is the third largest category of reported injuries after manual handlings and slips/trips.
Eighteen (15%) of workers were killed during 2021/2022 when struck by a moving, flying or falling object.
A third of these injuries are due to falling objects, i.e. items falling from storage racks. A quarter of the accidents reported were caused by hand tools, in particular, hand knives, with the third highest incidents being caused by moving pallet trucks etc.
Has your employer taken all possible precautions to keep you safe whilst at work?
Employees should be able to move safely around the workplace. Employers have a duty under the Workplace, Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations 1992 to ensure that risk assessments in work areas have been carried out. This should include assessing the risk of injuries from moving or falling objects.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 state:
Falling objects
10.—(1) Every employer shall, where necessary to prevent injury to any person, take suitable and sufficient steps to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the fall of any material or object.
(2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1), every employer shall take suitable and sufficient steps to prevent any person being struck by any falling material or object which is liable to cause personal injury.
(3) Every employer shall ensure that no material or object is thrown or tipped from height in circumstances where it is liable to cause injury to any person.
(4) Every employer shall ensure that materials and objects are stored in such a way as to prevent risk to any person arising from the collapse, overturning or unintended movement of such materials or objects.
At Calio Claims, our specialist solicitors have years of experience in helping victims who have been injured in workplace accidents which were not their fault. Employers are also vicariously liable for actions resulting in injury carried out by colleagues.
We can deal with claims ranging from minor injuries, through to psychological injuries and catastrophic life-changing injuries.
What to do if you have been injured in a workplace accident
- Any workplace accident should be reported in your employers’ accident book
- You should seek medical assistance as soon as possible
- Obtain the name and contact details of any witnesses to your accident
- Retain evidence such as damaged items, receipts for treatment or travel expenses
If you have suffered physical or psychological injury as a result of a falling or moving object at the workplace your employer may be at fault, please contact us to discuss the matter on 0800 988 8082 or our online enquiry form.
