HSE statistics reveal workplace deaths decline has stalled 06 July 2012

Provisional statistics just published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show the number of workers fatally injured in Britain last year remains largely unchanged against the previous 12 months.

HSE's data reveals that 173 workers were killed -- down just two – while the rate of fatal injury remains the same, at 0.6 per 100,000 workers.

"Britain continues to have one of the lowest levels of workplace fatal injuries in Europe, part of a long term downward trend," states HSE chair Judith Hackitt. "But we must not forget that these are lives cut short, not statistics."

Meanwhile, the British Safety Council is expressing "serious concern" that the reduction in numbers of deaths has stalled over the last two years.

"The fatal injuries that occurred in 2011—12 are a tragedy and a stark reminder that the health and safety regulatory framework is a fundamental protection to help keep workers healthy and safe," comments Neal Stone, director of policy and communications at the British Safety Council.

Similarly, St John Ambulance's commercial director Richard Evens worries that the disappointing lack of improvement comes despite the strong focus on health and safety over the last five years in particular.

"We note the absence of manufacturing in this year's figures," states Evens. "Whether this is good or bad news for the sector, we want to take this opportunity to focus the industry on the importance of first aid as a lifesaving skill.

"As a working environment that is often associated with higher risk accidents, it is the treatment you get in the first few minutes before the emergency services arrive that can make the difference between life and death," he explains.

The British Safety Council's Stone also reminds plant and factory managers to consider the "thousands of other people who died in 2011—12 as a result of work-related diseases and work-related road traffic accidents".

And he notes that falls from height and falls generally continue to be the two most significant causes of fatal injury in the workplace – accounting for more than half of the deaths recorded.

Brian Tinham

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