The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has urged the next Welsh Government to take action to reduce accidents.
Ahead of the Senedd elections in May, the society has launched its manifesto, ‘Stronger Safer Wales’.
Rising accidental death rates highlight urgent public safety crisis
RoSPA says Wales is experiencing a sustained and worsening accidental death crisis, with fatalities rising by 43% over the last decade.
Accidents now claim more than 1,200 lives annually in Wales, with a fatality rate 22% above the UK average.
It says Wales experiences elevated risks from accidental poisonings, rural road collisions, machinery-related incidents and dog-related injuries.
Addressing these concerns would save the NHS money, prevent the loss of thousands of employees in the workforce and avoid disproportionate harm to people in deprived communities.
Manifesto outlines recommendations across safety and prevention sectors
As well as addressing issues on road, home, and product safety, the manifesto summarises RoSPA’s recommendations for drowning prevention.
In terms of occupational health and safety, RoSPA would like a study into the gig economy in Wales, the development of transferable health and safety qualifications led by Sector Skills Councils and an improvement for data sharing between Welsh police forces and the Health and Safety Executive.
