HSE Publishes Annual Workplace Fatality Figures

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14 July 2022

HSE reports show that 123 workers died in work-related accidents from April 2021 to March 2022.

2,544 deaths in 2020 were due to Mesothelioma, cancer that can be caused by past exposure to asbestos.

The industries with the highest deaths were construction (30), agriculture, forestry, and fishing (22), and manufacturing (22); though agriculture, forestry and fishing has the highest rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers.

The figures relate to work-related accidents and do not include deaths arising from occupational diseases or diseases arising from certain occupational exposures (including COVID-19).

Falling From Height Remains Most Common Cause of Fatal Injury at Work

The three most common causes of fatal injuries continue to be falling from height (29), being struck by a moving vehicle (23), and being struck by a moving object (18).  

The 123 worker deaths in 2021/22 is lower than the previous year, though it is in line with pre-pandemic figures. There has been a long-term downward trend in the rate of fatal injuries to workers, though in the years prior to the coronavirus pandemic the rate was broadly flat.

A further 80 members of the public were killed following a work-related accident in 2021/22. This is an increase on the previous year but below the pre-pandemic level. This is likely to reflect the various COVID-19 restrictions in place.

The release of the annual figures coincides with the 50th anniversary this month of the publication of the Robens report. The landmark report led to the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974, which ultimately led to the HSE being set up the following year.

HSE’s Chief Executive Sarah Albon said: “While Great Britain is one of the safest countries in the world to work in, today’s figures show we must continue to ensure safety remains a priority. Every loss of life is a tragedy, and we are committed to making workplaces safer and holding employers to account for their actions, as part of our mission to protect people and places.”

Picture: a photograph of a brick wall with some signage mounted onto it. The sign shows an image a person and the word "EXIT". A staircase is also shown. Image Credit: Unsplash 

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 14 July 2022

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