Why do workplace accidents still happen and what can be done about it?

Collaborative Post | No one goes to work thinking they’re going to be at risk of getting involved in a serious accident that may completely derail their life. People generally think they have no reason to entertain such pessimistic thoughts or worry about worst-case scenarios, as they hope and trust that their workplaces are safe and provide appropriate conditions – and for the most part, they are. 

As experts explain, all employers have a common duty of care towards their employees, meaning they are legally obliged to create and maintain a safe work environment and safeguard the health and wellbeing of their staff members by complying with specific rules and implementing adequate preventive measures relevant to their industry and the activities they carry out.   ​

Helmet Stock photos by Vecteezy

So, in theory, work settings, regardless of the line of business, should present no dangers, except that’s not how things work in the real world. In practice, there’s no such thing as a risk-free job. Although in recent years workplace accidents across all industries have been on a steady decline, both in frequency and severity, thanks to tech advances and higher health and safety standards, risks and hazards have not yet been entirely eradicated, and accidents and injuries are still a common occurrence. 

Data provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for Great Britain reveals that 138 people died due to work-related accidents (2023/24), while another 561,000 sustained non-fatal injuries while on the job (2022/23). Even if the numbers are lower than usual, these are still very concerning findings that raise questions about the causes of workplace accidents and the potential solutions in this respect. 

Main causes of workplace accidents - It’s important for employees and decision-makers to understand where the issues lie so they can figure out what steps they need to take to prevent dangerous and potentially fatal situations from happening in the future. Most workplace accidents can be traced back to several root causes, as follows.  

Human error - Unsurprisingly, human error seems to be behind a considerable proportion of workplace accidents. Research shows that as much as 90% of accidents that occur in a work environment include a human factor and can be linked to unsafe employee behaviour, whether intentional or not. People are by no means perfect machines and are bound to make mistakes, but this also means that most of the issues leading to these unfortunate events are preventable.

Human error can be further broken down into a series of subfactors, such as:

• Over-exertion and fatigue – employees who perform physically demanding tasks on repeat or work to the point of exhaustion are more likely to overlook safety measures and make mistakes. When concertation and attention decrease, the risk of accidents surges. 
• Insufficient or inadequate training – while employee missteps are common, it’s the management’s duty to ensure staff members have the necessary skills and knowledge to do their jobs safely and responsibly. When the training is insufficient, ineffective, or totally lacking, mistakes and accidents are inevitable. 
• Disregard for safety procedures – despite being aware of the rules and regulations and having adequate skills, some workers exhibit reckless behaviour, completely ignoring health and safety policies, and thus putting their and other people’s health at risk. 
• Speed working – rushing while working is another risk factor that can cause employees to lose sight of certain health and safety requirements and skip important steps so they can finish their tasks faster or meet a specific quota. 

Malfunctioning equipment - When humans are not to blame for unpleasant workplace incidents, machines are often the culprit. Even with proper maintenance, tools, and equipment can fail and put the safety and lives of workers who operate them in jeopardy. These risks of faulty are particularly prevalent in industries like manufacturing, automotive, or food and beverage, where heavy and complicated machinery is involved in production processes.  

Unsafe work conditions - Although employers are tasked with eliminating risks and hazards and protecting their employees from harm, they often fall short in this respect. Their lack of involvement in implementing suitable health and safety measures and procedures can lead to dangerous work conditions, thus increasing the likelihood of accidents. For example, poor lighting, spillages, and cluttered or damaged floors can all increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Similarly, the lack of essential PPE or poorly maintained equipment represent major hazards for employees. 

Mitigating ongoing risks and hazards - The importance of devising and implementing comprehensive health and safety policies and procedures cannot be overstated enough. Apart from being a legal requirement for employers in all fields, it serves as the backbone of secure workplaces, so that’s where companies should start if they want to make minimise the risk of accidents and injuries. 

Training is another aspect that requires careful consideration. Although most employers have some sort of training program in place for new hires, some neglect the need of retraining and ongoing development, which are foundational steps for ensuring efficiency and safety in the workplace. A highly skilled and well-trained workforce is the key to lowering risks and ensuring long term success. 

It’s equally important to have a team of professionals in charge of constantly supervising workers and making certain their actions and behaviours align with health and safety regulations.   

Last but not least, equipment maintenance should be regarded as a priority since the consequences of technical errors and machine malfunctions can be truly devastating for all parties involved. 

Final thoughts - There’s been a lot of progress in workplace health and safety over the years, which is reflected in the number of accidents and injuries registered recently, but there’s a lot more that can be done to address the current causes of accidents and injuries in professional settings. Every effort in this direction can make a notable difference, saving lives and leading us one step closer to risk-free workplaces.  

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​Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.