With the lowest number of work-related deaths on record, new statistics show that Britain is still one of the world’s safest countries to work. The HSE health and safety statistics includes figures for work-related ill health, workplace injuries, working days lost, enforcement action taken and the associated costs.

The emergence of COVID-19 does not appear to be the main driver of changes seen in the data, although it is possible it may be a contributory factor. Figures show that around 693,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries in the past 12 months and 1.6 million workers suffered from work-related ill-health.

The statistics compiled from the Labour Force Survey and other sources, reveal there were:

• 111 fatal injuries at work
• 1.6 million working people suffering from a work-related illness
• 38.8 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury
• 325 cases were prosecuted and resulted in a conviction
• Fines from convictions totalled £35.8 million
• The estimated economic cost over the period totalled £16.2 billion with 38.8 million working days lost

Responding to the report, Sarah Newton, HSE Chair said: “The Covid pandemic has focused attention on the health and safety issues people face in the workplace. HSE remains committed to taking action where workers are not protected, to ensure the guidance and assistance we provide for employers in managing risks is the best available, based on the latest evidence and science.

Although Great Britain continues to be up there with the safest places in the world to work, these figures highlight the scale of the challenge HSE currently faces in making Britain an even healthier and safer place to work, this includes our role in the response to the pandemic to ensure workplaces are Covid Secure.

We must continue to drive home the importance of managing risk and promoting behaviours to ensure employers work right so that workers are able to go home healthy and safe at the end of each day.”

Should you wish to discuss any issues raised in this article, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team.