In the period of 2009-2010 there was a significant drop in injuries at work in the north east compared to 2008-2009: 13.9%. This could be due to a number of factors: there is an increased awareness and better handling of health and safety issues in the workplace; during a recession there are fewer people employed in higher-risk industries; and better care is taken by employees who are concerned about being out of work if they suffer an accident claim North East. Despite the reduction of industry in the economic downturn, the north east remains an area with large amounts of industry compared to the rest of the country, so it is hardly surprising that the figures are still higher than the average for Great Britain.
Employers themselves have a duty to ensure that their employees have the correct equipment to carry out their job. They have a duty to ensure that the working environment of their employees including floors, surfaces, working areas and corridors are safe for use. They also have a duty to provide proper training to carry out manual work involving lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling and wherever possible provide machinery or tools to avoid the need to lift heavy objects. Employers have strict government guidelines and parliamentary laws to adhere to in an effort to decrease accidents in the workplace. After all, it is in their interests to keep their employees safe. Having an employee on leave due to an accident at work costs the business money.