INJURIES in the workplace happen in Barnsley at a much higher rate than the British average, new figures have shown.
For every 100,000 workers in the area, 394 injuries were reported to the Health and Safety Executive in 2016/17. One worker was killed.
Overall, 263 injuries were reported in Britain for every 100,000 workers in 2016/17. Barnsley ranks 53rd out of 381 councils for workplace injuries.
Brett Dixon, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, said: “There are various factors which might contribute to a higher-than-average rate of injury, such as a prevalence of high-risk industries locally.
“The good news is that there has been a national long-term downward trend in the rate of both injuries and deaths in workplaces. Our concern is that safeguards which protect workers are not unravelled by the Brexit process.”
