Page 1038 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 384

14 November 2013

Ten Most Common Causes of Accidents

Workplace Law have recently published an article about the ten most common causes of accidents at
work (http://www.workplacelaw.net/services/info-centre/features/49254/the-ten-most-common-causes-of-
accidents-at-work). These have been identified by a well known personal injury solicitors, and therefore
do not necessary correlate to formally reported HSE accident statistics.

10 – Violence
Our work brings us into regularly contact with the public, and often in a situation where we are
restricting the areas the public can enter (e.g. by closing lanes). This can cause delays and/or stress to
the public resulting in them becoming abusive. See bulletin 350 (http://www.xmostrata.com/health/2013-
04-04.php) for tips on how to avoid confrontations.

9 – Trapped Clothing
Power tools are regularly used which have moving parts that could trap clothing. Always ensure guards
are in place and any lose clothing is away from moving parts. See bulletin 246
(http://www.xmostrata.com/health/2011-05-19.php) where an engineer’s glove got caught in machinery.

8 – Repetitive Strain
Vibration White Finger is a problem for many contraction industry works, especially when using
hammer drills or jack hammers. It is also a problem for office based staff, with use of computers or IT
equipment being major causes of repetitive strains. See June 2009 newsletter
(http://www.xmostrata.com/about/newsletter/2009-06-30.php#item9).

7 – Road Traffic Accidents
Last year we drove a total of 656,901 miles. According to latest Department of Transport numbers
there were 1754 fatal road accidents in the year. These facts indicate that there is significant potential
for harm and we therefore have a policy that all drivers attend a RoSPA Driver Development course,
and it is something we regularly cover in bulletins, see bulletin 360
(http://www.xmostrata.com/health/2013-06-06.php).

6 – Falling Objects
A large proportion of our work is carried at height and therefore the potential of dropping items is
significant. We also regularly get called to sites where signage at height has been damaged and is in an
unsafe condition – with a real risk of the signage falling.
This is why we have strict rules regarding work at height, with several assessment processes needing to
be completed and forms signed off to ensure safe systems of work are implemented.
See bulletin 343 (http://www.xmostrata.com/health/2013-02-14.php).