Falls

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Slips, trips and falls are a very common cause of accidents with hundreds of thousands of incidents reported each year. Falls often result in serious injury, often to bones and joints, and there are many fatalities, particularly amongst older people and people at work.

Accidental falls are by far the biggest killer in the home. An estimated 1000 older people die each year from a fall on stairs and falls cause the most deaths and long-term health problems amongst older people.

Good health and safety practices at work can prevent many slips, trips and falls. Whilst it is impossible to make all jobs totally safe, there are laws, which help to protect the workforce and ensure a safe working environment. Additionally, employees have a responsibility to look after their own health whilst at work, taking sensible steps to protect themselves from hazards and avoid accidents. Accidents can occur in any workplace, not just in building sites and manufacturing, but in offices as well.