Workplace injuries total matches population of a small village

In 2012 the number of people hurt in a work accident in East Devon was 549 – that’s equivalent to the entire population of Musbury.

Injuries ranged from broken bones, back injuries, amputated fingers and head injuries caused by slips and trips, falls from height and becoming trapped in machinery.

East Devon District Council is part of a project to help small businesses improve the way they manage health, safety and fire risks, with an initiative to be launched on Honiton’s Heathpark Estate.

Starting next week (w/c 13 January) 85 businesses on the industrial estate are being offered a tailor-made health and safety check as part of an initiative that aims to cut the chance of accidents on small business premises.

Companies are being invited to join 'Estates Excellence' - a scheme that aims to plug gaps in employers’ health and safety knowledge and awareness of obligations, to make staff safer at work and enabling businesses to reduce insurance costs and working time lost through injuries.

The team will visit small businesses to explain what is on offer, and give companies a chance to book a free longer visit by specially trained staff to identify the support they need. This includes free training on areas like fire safety, manual handling, risk assessment and security. Businesses will also be able to take advantage of free occupational health testing including hearing tests and lung function.

Joy Jones, partnership liaison manager from the Health and Safety Executive, said: "We appreciate that in these difficult economic times, health and safety may not always be at the top of the to-do list for small businesses. But by coming to them, we are sure we can help. This is entirely voluntary, but has the potential to bring enormous benefits for both the companies and their staff. Just as critical, it could save some serious money for businesses as they are likely to have fewer accidents and staff off sick as a result".

EDDC is working with Exeter City Council and the Health and Safety Executive, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the Federation of Small Business, South West Water, Sainsbury’s, SSG Training and Consultancy, Marsh Barton Forum, Matford Business Centre, the Met Office, G&L Consultancy, Alcoa, Balfour Beatty, Interserve, Amarisk, Basepoint businesses centres, Transplant Mastertrain, Devon County Council and the other Devon local Authorities.