Almost half of tradespeople have been seriously injured in a workplace accident

  • Almost half (45 per cent) of tradespeople have been seriously injured in an accident at work.
  • Over a quarter (28 per cent) of tradespeople often worry about the possibility of sustaining an injury due to a workplace accident.
  • Almost half a million (441,000) workers sustained a non-fatal injury at work in 2020/21.
  • Over two thirds (67 per cent) of tradespeople do not have personal accident cover in place to help deal with the consequences of an injury affecting their ability to work.

 

Almost half (45 per cent) of tradespeople say that they’ve been seriously injured in an accident at work during their career, according to new research from Direct Line business insurance.1

The survey also revealed that more than a quarter (28 per cent) of tradespeople often worry about the possibility of sustaining an injury due to a workplace accident.

The findings come as it was revealed that in 2020/21, 441,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury at work, according to the Health and Safety Executive 2021 Report.2

In 2020/21, 102,000 injuries resulted in absences of more than seven days, highlighting the risks that workplace accidents can pose to tradespeople’s livelihoods.

The most common incidents cited in the Health and Safety Report for workplace accidents in 2020/21 were:

·         Slips, trips or falls on the same level (33 per cent)

·         Handling, lifting, or carrying (18 per cent)

·         Struck by a moving object (10 per cent)

·         Acts of violence (8 per cent)

·          Falls from a height (8 per cent)

Despite the frequency of workplace injuries, over two thirds (67 per cent) tradespeople do not have personal accident cover in place to help deal with the consequences.

Of those tradespeople who do not have this cover, nor intend to get it, one in five (20 per cent) don’t have it because they don’t think having an accident at work is a financial risk, despite the overall cost of accidents being in the billions.3 Almost one in five (18 per cent) don’t think having a workplace accident is a threat to their livelihoods, while exactly the same proportion don’t consider themselves prone to accidents.

Jane Morgan, Product Manager at Direct Line business insurance, said:

“Our research shows the effect that workplace injuries can have on tradespeople – not just on their physical health, but the health of their business.

“At Direct Line, we recognise the psychological, physical and financial impact workplace accidents can have. And when it comes to giving them the comprehensive cover they need, we’re on it”.

Direct Line’s Personal Accident provides 24 hour cover, whether the injury happens at work or outside of work - in their own time. For more information about Direct Line business insurance’s Personal Accident cover, please visit our website:           

https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/small-business-insurance/knowledge-centre/insurance/personal-accident-insurance

ENDS

(1)   Opinium survey of 252 UK tradespeople, conducted 3rd-7th December 2021

(2)   2021 Health and Safety Executive Report: https://www.hse.gov.uk/index.htm

(3)   2020 Health and Safety Executive Report estimated that the annual cost of accidents in lost income is £5.6 billion

For further information please contact:

Direct Line Group
Unni Henry
Marketing Practitioner
Email: [email protected]

About Direct Line business insurance

Launched in 2007 Direct Line business insurance now has over half a million customer policies, providing a flexible range of insurance products for the landlord, van and small business sectors.

Direct Line business insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

 

Direct Line business insurance and U K Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line business insurance products or get a quote by calling 0345 301 4827 or visiting https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk