New figures show work fatalities have reduced

Figures just released by the HSE show that the preliminary number of workers killed in the last year has fallen to 148, compared to last year’s total of 172.

• Construction work killed 39 workers, a reduction from 48 last year; a rate of 1.9 deaths per 100,000 workers.
• Agricultural work killed 29 workers, a reduction from 36 last year. Agricultural remains the highest risk business, with a death rate of 8.8 per 100,000 workers
• Waste and recycling killed 10 workers however, compared to 5 last year. Their death rate is 8.2 per 100,000 workers.

HSE Chair Judith Hackitt said:  "These figures are being published in the same week as the 25th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster and are a reminder to us all of why health and safety is so important. Although the number of people killed at work has dropped significantly, last year 148 people failed to return home to their loved ones.

The fact that Britain continues to have one of the lowest levels of workplace fatalities in Europe will be of little consolation to those who lose family members, friends and work colleagues.

The HSE is striving to make health and safety simpler and clearer for people to understand so that more people do what is required to manage the real risks that cause death and serious injury.

We all have a part to play to ensure people come home safe at the end of the working day, and good leadership, employee engagement and effective risk-management are key to achieving this."

For advice and guidance on Health & Safety within your organisation, do not hesitate to contact Kelly Halls on 0800 542 7550 or by email at [email protected]

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