Aviva Risk Management Solutions (ARMS) says that the clocks going back is a useful time to warn employers and workers of the accidents or injuries that can occur as the days darken, including on the road.

Phil Grace, liability risk manager, Aviva, said: 'The risks that arise when the clocks go back are serious enough for the Government to have announced plans to investigate extending British Summer Time throughout the year. The House of Commons Transport Committee concluded that the period at the end of British Summer Time – immediately after the clocks go back – is a particularly dangerous period for road travel.

'The Department goes further to say it has strong evidence that around 80 fewer people would be killed each year on the UK's roads if the Government amended the arrangements for changing the clocks in the winter and summer.'

However, he added: 'It's not just commuting to work in the dark that can cause problems, but accidents can also happen in the workplace.

'Around the workplace, ensure car parks and pathways are well-lit. If staff are first to arrive in the morning, make sure they know where interior light switches are located, so they don't have to walk through an empty building in darkness to turn them on.

'Ensure pathways are clear and interior spaces are tidy, and that there are no boxes in the corridor, to avoid slips, trips and falls in the low light. Think about putting in lighting in any dark areas of the workplace.

'Finally, if you manage or are responsible for maintaining the building, check any external lights are working, as they may not have been used for a number of months. If lights are on a timer, check that this is reset to reflect the time change. If the lighting system works on sensors, check they are set correctly, ready for use, and that any dead bulbs have been replaced.'

To download Aviva's Simply Safety factsheet visit: https://help.aviva.co.uk/resources/avivabroker/tools-and-templates/Simply_Safety_Clocks_go_Back_Oct_2010