At a time when our knowledge and understanding of health and safety at
work is at its highest, statistics show that ongoing improvements in
accident rates and time taken off work due to injury and ill-health are
stagnating. Alongside the fact that around 80% of accidents can be
attributed to human error, there is also increasing concern that
modern-world issues of mental and physical wellbeing are undermining
recent gains made ensuring the safety of people at work.
By applying the principles of marginal gain and using lessons drawn from
the high-risk world of outdoor adventure and high level sport, this book
provides a variety of practical solutions and seeks to reduce the
incidence of human error in the workplace and the number of accidents
and near-misses. The concept of Free Thinking Hazard Identification is
introduced alongside the importance of managing changing circumstances
and minimising the frequently underestimated risk to experienced
workers. A range of practical recommendations are also made to help
reduce time taken off work due to injury or ill-health, through managing
fitness, diet and health and paying attention to mental wellbeing.