Concerning Trends in Great Britain's Workplace Safety
Recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) paint a concerning picture for workplace safety in Great Britain. Provisional data for 2023/24 indicates an increase in work-related fatalities, with 138 workers losing their lives between April 2023 and March 2024. This marks a slight rise from the 136 fatalities recorded in the previous year (2022/23) and suggests that progress in reducing workplace deaths has stalled, with figures remaining broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels.
Falls from height continue to be the leading cause of death, accounting for 50 fatalities in 2023/24, a 25% increase from the previous year. Other significant causes included being struck by a moving vehicle and being struck by a moving object. The construction sector consistently remains the most dangerous, recording 51 fatalities in 2023/24, followed by agriculture, forestry, and fishing (23 deaths) and manufacturing (16 deaths). Notably, male workers accounted for the overwhelming majority (95%) of fatal injuries, and workers aged 60 and over were disproportionately at risk, making up 34% of fatalities despite being only 11% of the workforce.
Non-Fatal Injuries and Ill Health in Great Britain
Beyond fatalities, the HSE's statistics also highlight the significant impact of non-fatal injuries and work-related ill health. In 2023/24, approximately 604,000 workers self-reported sustaining a non-fatal injury in the workplace, 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 most common types of non-fatal injuries reported in previous periods included slips, trips, or falls on the same level, handling, lifting, or carrying, and being struck by a moving object.
Work-related ill health continues to be a substantial burden, affecting an estimated 1.7 million workers in Great Britain in 2023/24, a slight decrease from 1.8 million in 2022/23. Stress, depression, or anxiety remain the primary contributors, accounting for approximately 776,000 cases, while musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affected 543,000 workers. These health issues led to an estimated 33.7 million working days lost in 2023/24.
Positive Developments in Irish Workplace Safety
In contrast to Great Britain, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland has reported a significant decline in work-related fatalities for 2024. Provisional data indicates that 33 people lost their lives in work-related incidents, a notable reduction from 43 fatalities in 2023. This marks the lowest fatality rate per 100,000 workers (1.2) since the HSA's establishment in 1989.
Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see online health and safety training or explore lone worker safety training for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.
Both the construction and agriculture sectors, traditionally high-risk industries, saw considerable improvements. Construction fatalities were halved, dropping from 10 in 2023 to 5 in 2024. The agriculture sector also experienced a 40% decrease, with fatalities falling from 20 in 2023 to 12 in 2024. Despite this positive trend, agriculture, forestry, and fishing still accounted for over a third of all fatalities in Ireland. Vehicle-related incidents, accidents involving heavy or falling objects, and falls from height were identified as the leading causes of fatal incidents.
Non-Fatal Incidents and Illnesses in Ireland
While fatalities decreased, non-fatal workplace incidents reported to the HSA in Ireland saw a 3% increase in 2024, reaching 10,441 incidents, 14% higher than the five-year average. The Human Health and Social Work Activities sector recorded the highest number of worker-related incidents (24%), while education saw the most non-worker injuries (40%). Manual handling was the most common trigger for non-fatal incidents.
Lost working time due to injuries and illnesses remains significant. In 2023, 688,000 days were lost due to injuries, and 1,330,000 days were lost due to illnesses, both above historical averages. Illness rates among females more than doubled between 2019 and 2024, rising from 9.7 to 22.4 per 1,000 workers.
These statistics underscore the ongoing importance of robust health and safety management in all workplaces. Employers and employees alike must remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and mitigating risks to ensure a safer working environment for everyone. For comprehensive health and safety training and consultancy services, Abertay Training offers a range of solutions to help organisations meet their obligations and protect their workforce. Visit https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk to learn more.