Personal injury news
Investigations launched into accidents at work
With over 280 accidents at work being reported last year in Wigan, new
measures are being taken to investigate the cases of serious personal injuries.
Included in the 280 accidents were three fatalities involving a man who was
crushed between two vehicles, a worker gassed by an ammonia release and a
pensioner who fell down the steps of the JJB Soccerdrome while out for her
grandson's birthday.
Other work accidents include falling from heights, transport accidents and back
injuries from lifting heavy items.
Wigan Council will be enforcing authority for health, safety and welfare for 6,385
premises in the borough, which means that work accidents will now be screened
by a principle officer who will then decide if cases will need to be investigated.
Tom Dickinson, from the council's community protection department, said, "Last
year we responded to 203 service requests and investigated 53 of 284 work
-related accidents reported to us including three fatalities."
The new accident and selection criteria has improved how cases are dealt with,
as a total of 19% of work accidents reported during the last year were later
investigated.
