Safety boots use may be increased by health and safety awareness

Businesses that offer employees health and safety advice such as using safety boots can lower accident rates by as much as a third.

Senior policy and technical adviser for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Phil Bates explained there are substantial benefits associated with firms that take care of their personnel.

"Employers are morally and legally obliged to look after the safety and wellbeing of their employees at work," he remarked, adding that firms will also see "clear economic benefits" in giving training to staff.

However, he noted a poll conducted by the body earlier in the year shows business leaders are "missing a trick" with regards to health and safety, as the research showed under half listed it as one of their three highest priorities.

Instances of workplaces injuries have been in steady decline, according to the Health and Safety Executive, with figures from the body showing 24,726 major incidents were reported in the year to March 2011, down from 26,268 in the previous 12-month period.
 

© Adfero Ltd