We have previously posted that a Judge has criticised Companies for not taking safety seriously as a result of a fatality that occurred in a workplace. In light of this Stephen Watkins, Director of Corporate Services, of the Injuries Board has provided Peninsula with a short article on the increase in workplace accidents involving lifting equipment such as forklifts and cranes, based on new Injuries Board claim analysis.
Last year 40 people received compensation totalling €1.3 million for workplace accidents involving forklifts and cranes, compared to 34 workers in 2011. In contrast, the overall number of compensation awards for workplace accidents has decreased from 820 in 2011 to 807 last year.
The Injuries Board is highlighting the worrying upward trend in these accidents to caution employers and employees against allowing complacency to creep into workplace safety practices. All it takes is a momentary slip in workplace safety for a serious accident to occur, particularly in sectors where lifting vehicles or machinery are in daily use. In fact, according to the Health and Safety Authority the transportation and storage sector has the third highest worker fatality rate each year, after construction and agriculture.
Last year alone, the Injuries Board awarded total compensation of €1.3 million for workplace accidents that involved forklifts, diggers and cranes. The average compensation award was €32,990 with claimants suffering fractured and broken bones and soft tissue injuries. The nature of accidents varied widely and included: claimants being struck by a forklift or digger or rear-ended while operating a forklift; workers have sustained crushed limbs from falling pallets while others have even been thrown from a forklift or struck by a crane tilt.
Despite the wealth of resources and guidelines on safe workplace practices from organisations such as the Health and Safety Authority, accidents can and do happen and are distressing for all concerned. In addition to the human cost, accidents also increase the cost of doing business - as a result of business interruption and the knock on impact of insurance claims on premiums. Consequently, mitigating accidents is in everyone’s interest, not least given that most accidents are preventable.
Since 2004, all personal injury claims in Ireland (with some limited exceptions) must be submitted through the Injuries Board unless settled directly between the parties after the accident. The Injuries Board is the state body that processes personal injury claims. Claims that previously took 3 years through the Courts are now assessed within 9 months by the Injuries Board and compensation is delivered to the claimant without the need for a Court appearance.
Further information on the work of the Injuries Board, including workplace claims and case studies of previous claimants, are available at www.injuriesboard.ie
