09.07.12
Number of fatally injured workers ‘largely unchanged’ – HSE
The long-term downwards trend in the number of deaths at work has stalled over the last two years, data from the Health and Safety Executive shows.
The rate of fatal injury remains the same as the previous year, at 0.6 per 100,000 workers. In 2011/12 there were 173 deaths caused by fatal injury, two less than in 2010/11. 2009/10 was a record low year for the number of deaths – just 147.
Wales has the highest incidence rate by country and region for 2011-12, statistics show, whileScotlandis also higher thanEngland. InEnglandthere were 130 fatal injuries, at a rate of 0.5 deaths per 100,000 workers. InScotlandthere were 20 deaths at a 0.8 rate andWalessaw 18 fatal injuries at a rate of 1.4 deaths per 100,000 workers.
Falls from heights and falls continue to be the two most significant causes of death, with over half of the deaths recorded in 2011/12 due to these reasons.
HSE chair Judith Hackitt said: “We want employers to focus on the real risks that continue to cause death and serious injury. HSE is working very hard to make it easier for people to understand what they need to do and to focus on the real priorities. Protecting people from death and serious injury at work should be at the heart of what we all do.”
Neal Stone, director of policy and communications at the British Safety Council, said: “While the number of deaths inBritainresulting from workplace injury has halved over the last twenty years, it is a serious concern that the reduction in both the number and incidence of deaths has stalled over the last two years.
“We must better understand the causes of these deaths and why they were not prevented. We owe that to future generations of workers.”
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