Drop in recorded workplace injuries in the UK

The figures released by the HSE show that:

• 19,707 major injuries (including amputations, fractures and burns) were reported compared with 22,094 in 2011/12

• 148 workers were fatally injured. This is down from 171 the previous year

• Workplace injuries and ill-health cost society an estimated £13.8 billion in 2010/11

Although the figures show an overall drop in major injuries, there is still little change in injuries in construction, agriculture and waste and recycling. 39 deaths were recorded in construction making it the most dangerous industry to work in last year. 

A timely reminder of these dangers comes in the form of a news story of a North Yorkshire-based construction company who has recently admitted to safety failings. The lack of safety measures led to an employee suffering a fractured skull and eight broken ribs in a four metre fall. The construction company was fined a total of £16,000 and ordered to pay £7,847 towards costs after admitting to two breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Even though there has been a decrease in the rate of injuries, far too many workers are still being killed or seriously injured. Figures like these shouldn’t be so high, when many deaths and injuries could have been prevented by having simple safety measures in place.

It isn’t only injuries that can impact on a worker’s life; there are a number of work-related ill health issues that can take many years to develop, such as occupational cancer. The HSE stats show there are currently 13,000 deaths each year from work-related diseases.

At least 8,000 of the work-related disease deaths were as a cause of occupational cancer, with more than half of the cancer deaths being caused by past exposures to asbestos. The BSIF feels that more needs to be done to highlight the risks of being exposed to harmful substances over a long period of time, so employers can implement safety measures which will reduce their workers exposure to harmful substances.

Even though there has been a drop in the total number of workplace injuries in the UK, the number of fatal injuries in certain sectors still remains high. Therefore, the BSIF believes that there needs to be more focus on health and safety in these sectors, which in the long run could help to reduce injury rates.