Safety First

Every year in the UK, accidents happen in the workplace while using work equipment. Many are serious, some are even fatal. By identifying and assessing the potential risks in your work environment, you are part way to preventing accidents caused by work equipment – and minimising liability insurance claims. When carrying out your risk assessment, you may wish to consider the following:

• All the work has to be done with the equipment during normal use and also its set up, maintenance, repair and breakdown.
• Who will use the equipment?  This may include inexperienced workers, new starters, workers with language difficulties or those who have other difficulties - for example, impaired mobility or illiteracy.
• Whether guards or safety devices are poorly designed, an inconvenience to use or are easily defeated (this could encourage workers to risk injury).
• The type of power supply - for example, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic.  Each type has different risks and ways to control them.

Following Health and Safety rules may reduce the frequency and cost of injuries in the workplace.  This may also lead to fewer Public Liability (PL) Insurance claims and Employers Liability (EL)  Insurance claims which will help contain your premiums.

For further information on workplace and work equipment safety go to www.hse.gov.uk

Last reviewed 7/11/2011

Source: Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0.  © Crown Copyright Health and Safety Executive

To talk to an expert in your area and get a quote, contact your local insurance broker.