Accident at work compensation claims are particularly common in the woodworking sector. In fact, out of the entire manufacturing industry, working with wood is among the most dangerous tasks, with woodworking having one of the industry's highest accident rates.
The majority of accident at work compensation claims in woodworking relate to workers making contact with moving machinery. Around one-quarter of all major accidents in the sector is of this type, and this risk factor has even led to the deaths of employees. Woodworking is the only sector in the UK in which machinery accidents are responsible for more injuries than slips and trips, which account for around one-fifth of all accidents.
Some of the other dangers in the woodworking sector include industrial illnesses caused by sawdust and other airborne particles, the risk of fire or explosion, and the dangers posed by vehicles in the workplace. Manual handling injuries are also a serious risk, while the loud noises in many woodworking workplaces can damage employees' hearing and increase their stress levels. Other hazardous materials, such as those used in timber treatment, also pose their own dangers to relevant employees.
Dealing with the risks inherent in woodworking is the responsibility of employers, who must take all reasonable steps to control or eliminate these risks. When employers are negligent towards this duty, then employees who are injured as a result of this negligence can make an accident at work compensation claim. This will be handled by the insurers of their employer - employers in every sector are required to take out employers' liability insurance to protect them should someone be injured in a workplace accident.
What areas are woodworking employers negligent in?
Typically, the areas employers fail in can be separated into three different areas:
- Risk assessments
Risk assessments should reduce the likelihood of accident at work compensation claims by dealing with hazards that could lead to injuries before the accident occurs.
Employers should think about what might cause an accident and then take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent these accidents from occurring.- Workplace management
Employers should think about the layout of their premises and the way workers will move around it when considering health and safety. Workplace management also involves good housekeeping, such as by keeping storage areas and worktops clean, tidy and efficient.
- Supervision and training
Employers are legally obliged to train and supervise their workers to an appropriate level. People who work with woodworking equipment should therefore be trained in how to use this equipment safely and supervised to ensure they work appropriately.
When employers fail to meet high standards in risk assessments, workplace management or supervision and training, they can be liable in accident at work compensation claims. Personal injury solicitors can help injured employees make a compensation claim against their employer, helping to drive up standards within the industry and potentially preventing other woodworking accidents from occurring in the future.
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