Increased activity from Inspectors in Care Sector

Due to the high number of accidents and time off through injury and ill health, the Health and Safety Executive are looking at ways of reducing this burden on employers and society as a whole. An estimated 5.1 million days were lost to work related ill health and injury in Social Care and Health in 2007/8. This is higher than in all other industries.

One of the tools they have available is increased inspection visits to organisations. They are also looking to engage with senior managers in an effort to impact on worker safety. They will also be engaging with other Regulators and seeking to influence Commissioning Policy to improve health and safety, especially with regard to people handling.

There are clear business and financial benefits to be gained by being ahead of the Regulators and Commissioning Units. Good health and safety is good for business. A well trained manager and staff will result in lower costs due to time off due to work related ill health and injury.