GB Workplace Fatalities See Uptick in 2023/24
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its annual statistics for Great Britain for 2023/24, indicating a concerning rise in workplace fatalities. A total of 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents, an increase of two from the 136 reported in the previous year (2022/23). This figure also represents a return to pre-pandemic levels of fatalities, suggesting that progress in reducing serious workplace incidents has stalled.
The construction sector continues to be the deadliest industry, accounting for 51 fatalities in 2023/24, a notable increase from the previous year. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing followed with 23 fatalities, and manufacturing recorded 16 deaths. These three sectors combined were responsible for approximately two-thirds of all fatal injuries. The most common causes of fatal injuries were falls from height (50 incidents), being struck by a moving vehicle (25 incidents), and being struck by a moving object (20 incidents).
Beyond worker fatalities, 87 members of the public were also killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain during the same period, an increase of 14 from 2022/23. The services sector, encompassing retail, accommodation, and public administration, was identified as the highest risk area for public fatalities.
Non-Fatal Injuries and Work-Related Ill Health Remain Significant Challenges in GB
While fatalities draw considerable attention, the broader impact of non-fatal injuries and work-related ill health continues to be substantial. In 2023/24, 604,000 workers self-reported sustaining a non-fatal injury at work, an increase from 561,000 in 2022/23. Employers reported a lower figure of 61,663 non-fatal injuries under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). The HSE estimates that 4.1 million working days were lost due to non-fatal workplace injuries.
Work-related ill health affected 1.7 million workers in Great Britain in 2023/24, a slight decrease from 1.8 million in the previous year. However, this figure remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. Stress, depression, or anxiety continue to be leading causes of work-related ill health, affecting approximately 776,000 workers and resulting in 16.4 million lost working days in 2023/24. Musculoskeletal disorders also saw a significant increase, with 543,000 workers affected in 2023/24, a 15% rise from the previous year. These conditions led to 7.8 million lost working days.
The economic impact of workplace injuries and ill health in Great Britain is substantial, with an estimated annual cost of £21.6 billion in 2022/23.
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Ireland Achieves Record Low in Workplace Fatalities for 2024
In contrast to Great Britain, Ireland has reported a significant positive trend in workplace fatalities. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) announced a record low fatality rate of 1.2 per 100,000 workers in 2024, the lowest since the HSA's establishment in 1989. A total of 33 people lost their lives in work-related incidents in 2024, a reduction of almost a quarter from the 43 fatalities recorded in 2023.
The agriculture sector, while still high-risk, saw a 40% decline in fatalities, from 20 in 2023 to 12 in 2024. The construction sector also experienced a notable reduction, with fatalities dropping by 50% from 10 in 2023 to 5 in 2024. Vehicle-related incidents (10 fatalities), incidents involving heavy/falling objects (6 fatalities), and falls from height (5 fatalities) were the primary causes of work-related deaths in Ireland in 2024. Notably, two-thirds of all fatalities (22) occurred to workers aged 55 and over, and self-employed individuals accounted for 18 of the 33 deaths.
Non-Fatal Incidents and Illnesses in Ireland
Despite the positive news on fatalities, non-fatal workplace incidents in Ireland saw a marginal increase. In 2024, 10,441 non-fatal incidents were reported to the HSA, a 3% rise from the 10,113 reported in 2023, and 14% higher than the five-year average. Manual handling continues to be the leading cause of non-fatal workplace injury, accounting for approximately 33% of all reported incidents in 2024, with 3,474 cases. Slips, trips, and falls were also significant contributors. The Human Health and Social Work Activities sector recorded the highest number of non-fatal incidents among workers, while the Education sector saw the most non-worker injuries.
Lost working time due to injuries and illnesses remains substantial in Ireland. In 2023, 688,000 days were lost due to work-related injuries, and 1,330,000 days were lost due to work-related illnesses. Illness rates among females more than doubled since 2019, rising from 9.7 to 22.4 per 1,000 workers in 2024, highlighting a need for gender-sensitive approaches to occupational health.
These statistics from both the HSE and HSA underscore the ongoing critical importance of robust health and safety management in all workplaces. Understanding these trends is vital for developing targeted interventions and training programs to protect workers and the public. For comprehensive health and safety training solutions, visit Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.