The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently released the work-related fatality statistics for Great Britain, covering the period from April 2022 to March 2023. With a concerning rise in the number of fatal injuries at work, there’s a pressing need for all of us to redouble our efforts in creating safer workplaces.
Understanding the Statistics
A total of 135 workers lost their lives in work-related incidents over the past year, up from 123 the previous year. While this figure aligns with pre-pandemic levels, it’s a stark reminder of the daily risks facing workers.
The most common causes of these fatal injuries include falls from height (40), being struck by a moving object (29), and being struck by a moving vehicle (20).
Additionally, the HSE has released annual figures for mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by past exposure to asbestos. Tragically, 2,268 people died from the disease in 2021.
What Can We Do?
These statistics underline the critical importance of workplace health and safety. At Safety Inspectors UK Ltd, we believe that even one death is too many. We’re committed to supporting businesses in reducing risks and ensuring workers can carry out their duties in a safe environment.
Here’s how we can help you make your workplace safer:
- Risk Assessments: We can help you identify potential hazards and establish effective control measures, especially for high-risk activities like work at height.
- Safety Training: Our training programmes can equip your workers with the knowledge and skills to safely navigate their work environments, understand risks, and prevent incidents.
- Health Surveillance: Early detection of work-related health issues like mesothelioma can improve outcomes. We can set up health surveillance programmes to monitor your workers’ health over time.
- Safety Audits: Regular safety audits can help identify potential areas of improvement and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.
Next Steps
We encourage you to take a proactive stance on safety. Begin with a thorough risk assessment, invest in safety training for your staff, establish health surveillance, and conduct regular audits.
Reach out to us at Safety Inspectors UK Ltd for support in developing and implementing a robust safety strategy. Together, we can reduce these numbers and ensure that every worker returns home safely at the end of the day.
The health and safety laws related to this blog post include:
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- The Work at Height Regulations 2005
- The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Please note, this blog post is not a comprehensive review of all provisions of the related laws. Always consult with a qualified professional or legal expert when dealing with workplace safety matters.