The Welsh Assembly Government has signed a Health and Safety Pledge to help prevent accidents and illness in the workplace.

Last year, more than 1.5 million working days were lost in Wales due to workplace injury and work-related ill health. A total of five people in Wales died as a result of work-related incidents in the year 2008-09 – and more than 1,600 suffered major injuries at work.

First Minister for Wales Rhodri Morgan has signed the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) pledge on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, which aims to bring together organisations in a commitment to reduce rates of work-related deaths, injuries and ill health.

Mr Morgan said that the figure of 1,600 cases of serious injury in the workplace for one year was ‘shocking’.

‘Work-related accidents can be avoided and it is important that people are made to feel safe while going about their job,’ the First Minister said after committing to the pledge.

‘The Welsh Assembly Government has responsibility for business, economy and the

health service – all of which are adversely impacted by work-related ill health. We

call on employers to make the investment in good health and safety and better manage

workplace risks.’

HSE Director for Wales, Terry Rose added:

‘This year we have seen a reduction in workplace fatalities and serious injuries in Wales, but this will be little comfort for those directly affected by what should have been preventable incidents.

‘We are delighted that the Welsh Assembly Government has pledged its support to our initiative and hope that together we can take steps to reduce the numbers even further.’

HSE board member, Sandy Blair said that, even ‘in a challenging economic climate’, the risks in the workplace were ever present ‘as the latest statistics show’.

‘The challenge is to maintain the improvements that have been made as we move towards recovery and increased activity in some sectors,’ said Mr Blair.

‘In signing up to the pledge, the Welsh Assembly Government is agreeing to take a

commonsense and practical approach to health and safety, looking at what it can do

internally – as well as it acting as a call to other organisations and businesses in

Wales to make the same commitment.

‘Better health and safety performance can not only save lives, but can bring about

real business benefits.’

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