Payouts for workplace injuries revealed to have cost £1.5 million in last five years.

HEALTH: Four local authorities shell out combined total of £1.5m in five years

Cash-strapped councils across Tayside and Fife have spent £1.5 million in compensation for injuries to staff in the last five years. Dundee City, Angus, Fife and Perth and Kinross councils have all been criticised for the huge sum. Most of the payouts were for avoidable injuries including slips, trips, sprains and strains, leading to calls for improved health and safety. More unusual cases include an ongoing claim made by a Forfar school technician for an amputation. Not all of the claims made were successful and some are ongoing. Helen Meldrum, regional officer for union GMB Scotland, said the total number of injuries may be higher. “The majority of these could be avoided if appropriate training was put in place, as well as more robust attention to health and safety by councils,” she said. “GMB Scotland would like to see a more collaborative approach with the trade unions in relation to health and safety but for councils and managers to also understand the importance of ensuring appropriate processes are in place which would mitigate the amount of injuries and also save money. “These figures are also possibly not truly reflective of the amounts of day-today injuries that people are suffering as many people are not aware of what constitutes a near miss or how to go about reporting an incident.” She added: “Claim culture has spread from the United States and whilst those who have been legitimately injured as a result of negligence should receive compensation, I would like to see local authorities try harder to avoid paying out such large sums. “Ultimately, everyone has the right to work in a safe environment but it would appear as though a number of these injuries are preventable. “Reducing the personal injury bill will be important going forward and councils need to better protect themselves from these types of claim.” Fife Council spent the most of the four local authorities on claims at £650,767. Its HR service manager, Barbara Cooper, said: “A range of training is available across the council for staff to attend, including safe manual handling, how to undertake risk assessments, supervisor safety responsibilities as well as covering specific regulations. “Our health and safety policy has just been reviewed and the policy is implemented and supported through governance and control procedures, briefings and training. “Health and well-being information is widely promoted. “Managers ensure that information is supplemented with specific guidance to support the wide range of duties council staff undertake.” Dundee City Council said: “We provide health and safety training, regularly consult with our employees regarding health and safety, provide advice and specific policies and guidance documents. “The council also holds an annual health and safety week and produces a regular health and safety matters newsletter to update all employees on relevant issues.” An Angus Council spokesman said it has “well-established policies and procedures to ensure that appropriate inquiries are carried out and any issues and learning opportunities identified, acknowledged and managed”. A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council, which paid out the least in compensation, said: “The council has achieved bronze and silver healthy working lives awards over the last few years and maintained our silver award this year. “The introduction of a new health and safety management system across the council five years ago has strengthened and supported this culture”