The Labour Party has historically had a socialist identity. Over the years, the Party has taken steps to improve working conditions and attempt to reduce the chance of an accident in the workplace. Not only have they been responsible for introducing key pieces of legislation, but many of the laws have also stood the test of time. If necessary amendments are required, they are often carried out.

This site provides information on workplace health and safety laws and the periods in history to which the Labour Party has contributed. There’s also information on workplace accidents and how common they are, including what can cause them.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

How Has Socialism Helped Improve Workplace Health And Safety Laws?

Key members of the Labour Party have been pivotal in improving working conditions over the course of the country’s history. As far back as the 1960s, Labour MPs such as Alfred Robens have advocated for change when it came to the level of safety for the nation’s workers.

The government body he formed and the workplace legislation he introduced are still relevant and in use today, even as health and safety law has evolved over time.

What Changes To Health And Safety Law Has The Labour Party Helped Achieve?

Important laws to improve workplace health and safety have been passed when the Labour Party has been in power. One of the most important is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The Act lays out, amongst other important changes, an employer’s duty of care. 

It applies to any workplace to reduce the risk of their workers being injured. This flexibility helps to increase an employer’s accountability and reduce the number of workplace accidents in a variety of scenarios. 

Are Accidents Common In Workplaces?

Accidents in the workplace happen across the country every year. Although some may have been caused by the employees themselves, other incidents can be the result of their employer’s failure to keep their workers safe.

Regardless, the number of non-fatal injuries in the workplace is thankfully on a downward trend.

Over the years, the trend regarding the number of fatal workplace injuries has also declined. However, the trend in recent times has generally been quite flat.

We have more information on this website about how common workplace accidents have been in recent times. 

The Causes Of Injuries At Work

The cause of a workplace accident can vary. Factors such as someone’s field of work can influence how an accident in the workplace occurs. Some industries can also result in more severe injuries than others.

For example, construction sites generally tend to present greater risks to their employees. This is because heavy equipment and tools are often used, and some employees may be expected to work at a height – a fall from which could result in severe injury or even death.

For someone who works in an office, the risks of their role tend to be much less by comparison. However, they could still be injured in the event of a slip and fall due to a wet floor, for instance. 

Knowing the risks in your workplace is a good way to stay safe at work.

What To Do If You Suffer An Injury At Work

It’s important that you seek the help of a medical professional following a workplace injury. Even if an injury seems minor at first, there could be deeper-lying problems. Or, the injury could become worse over time without treatment.

You also should report the injury to your employer, if they are not already aware of the incident. Your employer has a responsibility to report certain incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2012 (RIDDOR).

Doing this can also help your employer improve safety procedures so more employees are not injured in the same way as you. The incident should also be logged in your employer’s workplace accident book.

It may also be worth looking into whether you’re eligible to make a personal injury claim following a workplace accident. If you are, then you could be owed compensation. Part of the process of making a workplace injury claim involves gathering evidence. So, make sure you have proof, such as photographs or videos.

There is also a limitation period with claims such as these. You need to begin the process, generally, within 3 years of the injury. This is stated in the Limitation Act 1980, along with certain exceptions to this time limit.

Get In Touch With Any Questions

If you have any questions or wish to learn more, you can do so by contacting us.

You can also continue to explore the site to find more helpful information that may answer your questions.