New research has shown that three in every four British workers are scared to complain about health and safety at work, for fear of losing their jobs or prospective promotions.
According to one legal company, the fear of being labelled as a troublemaker can often mean that dangerous health and safety breaches in commercial premises go unreported and ignored, resulting in workplace accidents and injuries.
Health and safety at work
Figures show that 74% of workers would be afraid to report a health and safety issue. 53% wouldn’t report an electrical fault or broken machinery in someone else’s work area, whilst 21% wouldn’t report electrical problems in their own work area. Reasons highlighted for not reporting issues include: fear of losing a job, worries about limited promotion prospects, and worries about missed opportunities for pay rises.
Changes to employment law in recent years have also deterred employees in commercial premises from raising doubts about electrical health and safety, with increased fees and more complex access to Employment Tribunals meaning that people reporting issues has fallen by 59% in the past year.
Luke Czerpak, Contracts Manager at Eaton Electrical comments: “The news that electrical faults in commercial premises are not being reported is really worrying. Health and safety at work is of utmost importance, as if it is not reported there is a real risk of people not only losing their jobs, but their premises and, in the worst case scenario, their lives.”
Eaton Electrical are offering free electrical safety audits to all businesses to help increase awareness of electrical safety. To find out more, call us on 01509 414222.
