Thursday worst day for work accidents
A review by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (InjuriesBoard.ie) found that Thursday was the most likely day for workplace accidents and its chief executive, Patricia Byron, urged people be extra vigilant towards the end of the week.
She also said it was not acceptable for hard-pressed employers to cut corners on safety and put employees at risk in the workplace.
Last year, the number of claims for workplace accidents fell, but that was due to a fall in numbers employed, rather than advances in safety, according to Ms Byron.
Compensation totalling €22.5m, down from €25.1m in 2010, was awarded in respect of 830 accidents, compared with 889 in 2010, in personal injury workplace claims.
To mark World Day for Health and & Safety at Work, InjuriesBoard.ie published a review which showed accidents in the workplace accounted for 8.4% of all personal injury awards in 2011, compared to 11% in 2010.
“While our figures point to a downward trend in the number of claims for workplace accidents, the main driver for this is a contracting workforce rather than any notable advances in workplace health and safety programmes.
“We understand that businesses today are under constant pressure to drive efficiencies, often operating with scare resources, but cutting corners on employee safety is a cut too far,” Ms Byron said.
The manufacturing and production sectors accounted for the majority of claims last year, with slips, trips and falls, defective equipment and poor handling of goods the most common accidents.
Ms Byron said they were continually surprised by the volume of such foreseeable and preventable claims.
InjuriesBoard.ie is an independent statutory body which assesses the amount of compensation due to a person who has suffered a personal injury.
While Thursday is the most dangerous workday, Sunday is the safest day due to fewer people working at weekends. November is the most dangerous month for workplace accidents, while April is the safest.
Limerick, Carlow, Kildare, Waterford and Louth are the counties with the highest number of awards per head of population, while Roscommon, Cavan, Mayo, Donegal and Laois recorded the lowest number.
Men are twice as likely to receive an award for a workplace accident, accounting for 70% of all awards in 2010. However, the number of women receiving awards has risen by 5% due to their increased presence in the workforce during the recession.
Men received an average award of €27,246 compared to €26,771 for women. Those in the 25-34 age group received a third of all awards.
