Security Guards Dying On The Job - Life Expectancy 25% Lower Than UK Average

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• Security Guards Dying On The Job - Life Expectancy 25% Lower Than UK Average

01 June 2018

UK security guards have a lower life expectancy than people born in Afghanistan or Iraq says a new study compiled from Office of National Statistics surveys.

The shocking new study shows it is not selfless acts of bravery that kills the guards but chronic heart diseases.

The study comes from GMB, the union that many security guards belong to, reveals security guards die 20 years younger than the national average.

An official estimate completed for GMB by the ONS shows the mean age of death of people working in security professions, people aged 20 and over, is 61.9 years.

The average age of death in the UK is 81.4, while the global life expectancy is 72. Afghanistan has a life expectancy of 62.7 and Iraq 69.8.

Heart diseases

By far the biggest cause of death among those in the security professions is ischaemic heart diseases, malignant neoplasm of trachea bronchus and lung and chronic lower respiratory diseases.

Roger Jenkins, GMB National Officer, said: “It is absolutely shocking security professionals here in the UK have a lower life expectancy than people born in Afghanistan. These are the people we rely on, the first on the scene after atrocities like Westminster Bridge or the Manchester Arena.

“Despite the enormous responsibilities they have, there is a misconception in this country that security work is somehow an unskilled profession.

“What our security members need is more support in dealing with the stress, mental health and other related health issues that can often go hand in hand with this kind of work. Security employers need to pledge to work with GMB to tackle this shameful problem.”

The findings will be discussed at the GMB’s 101st annual congress, which takes place in Brighton from June 4-6.

To read the ONS estimates, which were compiled following a request from GMB - Click Here

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Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 01 June 2018

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