How to Prevent Accidents in the Workplace

In the last year alone, there were over 124 fatalities and approximately 680,000 self-reported, non-fatal workplace accidents in the UK. With this in mind, workplace accidents have, and always will be, a key consideration for employers. 

As the UK’s leading supplier of PPE and high visibility workwear, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on how to minimise and prevent accidents in the workplace. 

Read on to learn about the key measures you should be taking, and how our garments and industrial laundry services could help you reach your goals while protecting employees.

Never skip a comprehensive risk assessment

Risk assessments are a legal requirement under The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and one of the most reliable ways to minimise work accidents.

These frameworks are designed to guarantee safe working conditions, since they force employers to identify hazards, calculate risk, and implement robust control measures within the working environment.

Risk assessments can identify and evaluate common workplace accident causes, such as slip risks, machinery, working at height, and electronic hazards. Without a detailed risk assessment, your employees may be at risk of preventable injuries, which could also place your business in legal trouble.

Understand the importance of correct PPE

Providing your employees with insufficient or incorrect PPE counts as a health and safety breach under the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance, and can also leave employees extremely vulnerable to avoidable injuries. 

For this reason, employers have a legal duty to ensure that all PPE fits correctly, is regularly maintained, and is used correctly (supported by training and supervision). This is especially important in high-risk industries, such as construction, engineering, manufacturing, utilities, and transportation, where PPE is a necessity. 

At phs, we provide a range of technical workwear which is designed to offer protection, durability, comfort, and compliance, with every garment meeting the highest UK safety standards.

For high-heat environments, our Flame Gear garment range:

• Meets EN ISO 11611 and EN ISO 11612 flame-resistant standards
• Offers insulation from heat
• Resists hazardous chemical droplets
• Includes anti-static fibres for added protection

For construction and rail sectors, our Bright Gear garment range:

• Meets RIS-3279-TOM and EN ISO 20471 high-visibility standards
• Is made from durable materials designed to withstand regular washing
• Is weatherproof to suit a variety of outdoor working environments
• Features retro-reflective tape, elasticated cuffs, and lightweight movement panels to support comfort and mobility

Explore our range of workwear garments and feel free to contact us for more information regarding embroidery, branding, and measurements.

Welcome open conversations around workplace safety and accident prevention

Many employers forget that workplace safety often begins with awareness and prevention. With this in mind, it’s essential that employees understand their work responsibilities and the safety risks associated with their specific job role. 

We encourage all workplaces to build a strong safety culture by:

• Organising daily toolbox talks and briefings
• Establishing a clear reporting process for hazards, injuries, and accidents
• Regularly conducting training and refresher courses

When your employees are engaged and aware, they will be less likely to find themselves in unsafe scenarios at work.

Maintain equipment, tools, and PPE regularly

It doesn’t matter how much money you invest into your equipment, tools, and PPE, or how specialist they are. What matters most is how frequently they’re maintained. 

When we consider this in the context of PPE, it’s easy to see how damaged, dirty, and over-worn garments can create extremely serious risks to employees. This is why we offer industrial laundry services designed to clean, preserve, inspect, and extend the lifespan of every garment within our rotation. 

We also offer professional garment repairs and alterations with integrated service reporting included as standard. Within this service, we’ll monitor garment wear, conduct the necessary repairs, and give honest advice as to when replacements are necessary. 

This ensures that your workforce stays correctly clothed, protected, and comfortable throughout the working day, preventing the risk of PPE-related workplace accidents.

Partner with phs Besafe for a safer, protected workplace

We launder over 1.2 million garments every year with expert precision and the utmost care. 

No matter which sector you operate in, our workwear garments and industrial laundry services are designed to reduce the risk of workplace accidents. We’re proud to offer industry-leading PPE designed for high-risk environments, as well as professional laundry and repair services and garment condition monitoring.

This is especially targeted at employers within high-risk industries, such as construction, transport, utilities, and manufacturing. Supplying employees with certified clothing is essential for both compliance and employee safety.

If you would like to receive expert guidance from our garment specialists, feel free to contact us today for more information.