New figures published this week (3rd July) reveal that work-related fatalities have increased in Great Britain, with almost 3 workers now killed every week.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has said the rise of work-related fatalities is a “huge concern” and shows that urgent action is needed.
The latest statistics for work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain have been published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) this week, with figures showing that a total of 138 workers were killed at work during 2023-24, up 2 from the year before.
Construction, male and older workers account for majority of work-related fatalities
In line with long-term trends, the construction and agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors account for the greatest number of workers killed in fatal accidents.
The construction industry recorded the highest number of work-related fatal injuries by far, with 51 deaths recorded between April 2023 and March 2024.
Meanwhile, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector followed second with 23 work-related fatalities recorded during the year. However, this sector had the highest proportion of workplace deaths, with 7.51 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared with 2.43 in the construction industry.
Male and older workers continue to be more likely to suffer fatal injuries at work.
HSE’s new figures reveal that men accounted for 95% of work-related fatalities last year, while workers aged 60 and over accounted for a third of all work-related fatal injuries (34%), despite only accounting for 11% of the overall workforce.
The biggest cause of work-related fatalities was falls from height, which accounted for almost one death per week in 2023-24 (50), being struck by a moving vehicle (25) and being struck by a moving object (20).
Work-related fatal injury rates have showed a long-term downward trend, though in recent years the rate has been broadly flat.
Joint effort needed to reduce work-related fatalities
In the construction sector, work-related fatalities have increased – 51 in 2023-24 compared to 47 in 2022-23 – prompting the world’s largest professional health and safety body to call for a joint effort to reduce work-related fatalities.
Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at IOSH, highlighted the fact that the increase in work-related fatalities within construction means “the number of deaths in that industry is significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.”
She added:
“There has also been a rise in the total number of workplace fatalities so it’s clear that lessons aren’t being learned and that much more still needs to be done to protect workers.”
In fact, the number of work-related fatal injuries has hovered between 130 and 150 each year for much of the last decade. Calling for more decisive action to address this after the current general election, Ruth explained:
“This is a huge concern, and we need to see action taken to tackle this. Whichever party forms the new government must seek to protect and enhance health and safety standards, particularly across high-risk industries like construction. And businesses need to step up and ensure they have robust occupational health and safety management systems and control strategies in place to prevent accidents at work and reduce the chance of them happening.
“Providing a safe and healthy working environment isn’t just an add-on for a business. It is now a fundamental principle and right at work, s recognised by the International Labour Organisation. So, we need to see a joined-up approach to tackle harm at work to prevent more lives being needlessly lost.”
The HSE also revealed that 87 members of the public were killed in work-related accidents in 2023-24. This figure has also increased from 2022-23.
Britain’s health and safety watchdog also published the latest data regarding mesothelioma deaths in the UK this week. These show a slight decrease in the number of people dying from cancer because of past exposure to deadly asbestos fibres at work, with 2,257 deaths in 2022 compared to 2,290 in 2021.
Health and safety training vital to protect workers from harm
First Response Training (FRT) is one of the UK’s largest and leading national training providers.
They deliver a wide and diverse range of training for businesses and organisations across all industry sectors and throughout the UK. Their course range includes training in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, mental health, food safety, health and social care and more.
Their health and safety training is mapped to UK standards and legislation and follows HSE guidelines. The portfolio includes courses such as Health and Safety, Managing Health and Safety, Risk Assessment, Accident and Incident Investigation, Working at Height, Asbestos Awareness and many more.
Based on a common sense, proportionate approach to workplace safety, training helps learners to understand the true benefits of creating a healthy and safe environment at work.
A trainer from FRT explains:
“We believe in creating safer working environments with people who care.
“Any life lost at work is one too many and we must continue to be vigilant about health and safety standards and ensure we are providing suitable and sufficient training for our staff as well as appropriate control measures, safe systems of work and procedures to protect them from harm and significantly reduce work-related fatalities across all sectors.”
For more information on any of the training courses that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or e-mail info@firstresponsetraining.com.