Borough on worker ‘danger’ list

HALTON is one of the most dangerous places to work in England according to latest research.

The report, compiled from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Official For National Statistics data, found that Halton had the second highest number of safety failings per business out of every local authority area in the country.

Only Hyndburn in Lancashire had more.

According to the research, complete by safety product suppliers Seton, 34 workplace infringement notices were issued to 3,615 firms in Halton in 2021, equating to one reprimand per 106 companies.

All of the worst five rates were in the North West, which held seven of the top 10 places overall. Also ranking highly in Cheshire and Merseyside were Warrington in 13th place, Knowsley 14th, and St Helens 22nd, out of 333 local authority areas in England.

The most health-and-safetycompliant employers were in Northampton, where only one notice was issued during 2021. Overall, construction had the highest fatality rate, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Sally Felstead, general manager at safety products supplier Seton, hopes the data will serve as a reminder to businesses on why compliance is key.

They said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe at work, which is exactly why regulators such as the HSE and local authorities have numerous guidelines and legislation in place.

“Even so, 142 people across the country were killed at work in 2021, while 1.7 million staff suffer a workrelated illness every year.

“Obviously the human element should be a key driver for keeping people safe.

“It’s every business owner’s duty to reduce the risk of any avoidable accidents. But there are also business consequences.

“Every notice issued could lead to a fine or even a criminal conviction.

“Individuals affected by an accident at work due to negligence can also make a civil law claim.

“With so many systems and solutions out there to help businesses stay compliant, it’s easy to keep workforces safe.”