EMPLOYERS in Hull are being advised to improve the safety of their workforce after the city's injury rate was found to be in the top 25 per cent nationally.
Hull Council and the Health and Safety Executive will begin a week-long series of inspections at premises across the city on September 29, and officials have pledged to take enforcement action where standards are poor.
Inspections will cover key a
reas of concern, including slips, trips and falls, work at height, transport, handling, lifting and carrying and guarding of equipment.
Company managers will be advised on what improvements can be made, while inspectors will also make it clear what is required by law and what can be done voluntarily as good practice.
Trevor Todd, the council's health and safety manager, said: "These inspections are not about catching businesses out, it is about supporting them and helping protect workforce and customers from injury, which in some instances may be fatal.
"With the city's injury rate being in the top 25 per cent of all authorities nationally, there is a real need to work with business to ensure they understand what is required of them to help improve their health and safety practices and reduce the risk of injury."
The most recent figures released by the HSE show that three people were killed and 329 seriously injured at work in Hull and the East Riding in 2006-7. A total of 1,387 people suffered injuries that required at least three days absence from work.
The council is responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation in more than 5,000 premises, including retailers, warehouses, offices, hotels and catering, sports leisure and consumer services.
Building sites, factories, hospitals and local and central government premises are among those covered by the HSE.
Chris Chambers, the HSE's lead inspector on the Hull clampdown, said: "This is an important new initiative which involves partners working together to really make a difference to a local area.
"Companies will be given all the help they need to turn their workplaces into safer, healthier working environments.
"There is no doubt that the people best placed to make workplaces safer and more secure are the staff and managers who work in them."
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