HEALTH & SAFETY: Poor practices put workers’ health at risk

Manufacturing News, Source : The Manufacturer
Published : 15 Oct 2002 17:02

Internal reorganisation could prove expensive

News that the NHS may be forced to recoup the cost of treatment from employers whose staff have been injured at work has reinforced concerns that too many manufacturers are cutting corners.

According to a national logistics survey, undertaken by Kardex over the summer, 55 per cent of companies organise internal moves at least every six months and nearly a quarter every month. Despite such a high rate of churn, a staggering 84 per cent do not employ a removal specialist, putting their staff at risk from accident or injury.

The survey found that staff are expected to help out with shifting and lifting equipment, leading to major health and safety concerns as well as the loss of valuable business time as staff are disrupted and distracted from their work.

Nick Tuggey, marketing director of Kardex Systems said: “Companies can no longer afford to put the stress and strain of moving on their staff otherwise, given the new proposals, they could end up footing a potentially large hospital bill.”

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