HSE releases annual workplace fatalities data

Latest fatal injuries statistics confirm UK as one of the safest places to work in Europe

PROVISIONAL annual data for work-related fatal accidents in Great Britain’s workplaces shows small change from previous years, sustaining a long-term trend that has seen the rate of fatalities more than halve over the last 20 years.

The provisional annual data released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveals 142 workers were fatally injured at work between April 2014 and March 2015 (a rate of 0.46 fatalities per 100,000 workers). This compares to last year’s all-time low of 136 (0.45 fatalities per 100,000 workers).

The statistics again confirm the UK to be one of the safest places to work in Europe, having one of the lowest rates of fatal injuries to workers in the leading industrial nations.

The HSE’s chair, Judith Hackitt, said: ‘While it’s disappointing that last year’s performance on fatal injuries has not been matched, the trend continues to be one of improvement. Our systems and our framework remain strong, as demonstrated by our performance in comparison with other countries.

‘Every fatality is a tragic event and our commitment to preventing loss of life in the workplace remains unaltered. All workplace fatalities drive the HSE to develop even more effective interventions to reduce death, injury and ill health.’

The new figures show the rate of fatal injuries in several key industrial sectors:

• In mining and quarrying, one worker was killed in 2014/15, compared with an average of five deaths for the previous five years.
• Five fatal injuries to waste and recycling workers were recorded – a rate of 4.31 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared with an average of six deaths in the past five years and an increase from the four deaths recorded in 2013/14.
• Thirty-five fatal injuries to construction workers were recorded – a rate of 1.62 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared with an average of 45 deaths in the past five years and a decrease from the 44 deaths recorded in 2013/14.

A more detailed assessment of the data will be provided as part of the annual Health and Safety Statistics release at the end of October. This will draw upon the HSE’s full range of sources, including changes in non-fatal injuries and health trends, to provide a richer picture on trends.