Concerning Trends in UK and Irish Workplace Safety
Recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland paint a mixed but generally concerning picture of workplace safety across the UK and Ireland. While both bodies continue efforts to reduce incidents, the latest figures indicate persistent challenges, particularly in high-risk sectors.
Great Britain Sees Slight Rise in Fatalities
In Great Britain, a total of 138 workers were tragically killed in work-related accidents during 2023/24, a slight increase of two fatalities from the previous year (136). This trend underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and robust safety measures across all industries. The construction, agriculture, forestry, and fishing, and manufacturing sectors collectively accounted for approximately two-thirds (65%) of these fatal injuries.
The most common causes of fatal accidents in Great Britain continue to be falls from height, being struck by a moving vehicle, and being struck by a moving object. Struck by a moving vehicle alone was responsible for 25 fatal injuries in 2023/24, representing 18% of the total. The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector, in particular, continues to pose significant risks, with a fatal injury rate 21 times higher than the average across all industries. In 2023/24, this sector saw 23 fatal injuries, an increase of two from the previous year. The construction industry's fatal injury rate is also approximately five times higher than the average.
Beyond fatalities, work-related ill health remains a substantial issue. In 2023/24, an estimated 1.7 million workers suffered from work-related ill health, with around 776,000 cases attributed to stress, depression, or anxiety. While this shows a slight decrease from the previous year's 1.8 million cases of ill health and 910,000 cases of stress, depression, or anxiety, the current rates remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. These conditions led to an estimated 33.7 million working days lost in 2023/24 due to self-reported work-related ill health or injury. The estimated annual cost of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health in Great Britain reached £21.6 billion in 2022/23.
Ireland Reports Increase in Non-Fatal Injuries, Decline in Fatalities
In the Republic of Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reported a decrease in work-related fatalities in 2024, with 36 fatal incidents compared to 43 in 2023. This represents a 16% reduction and continues a positive long-term trend, with the rate of fatal incidents declining from 2.6 per 100,000 workers in 2004 to 1.3 in 2024. However, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector still accounted for the highest number of fatal incidents in 2024, with 11 self-employed persons and one employee losing their lives.
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Conversely, non-fatal workplace injuries reported to the HSA saw an increase. In 2024, there were 10,441 non-fatal incidents reported, a 3% rise from 2023 and 14% above the five-year average. This increase is partly attributed to increased employment levels following COVID-19 related business closures. The Human Health and Social Work Activities sector recorded the highest number of non-fatal incidents among workers, accounting for 24% of the total. For non-worker incidents, the education sector reported the highest number, representing 40% of all non-workers injured. Manual handling and slipping/falling were identified as the most common triggers for non-fatal incidents in 2024.
The impact of these injuries and illnesses on working time remains substantial. In 2023, 688,000 days were lost due to work-related injuries, a 26% increase on the five-year average. Additionally, 1,330,000 days were lost due to work-related illnesses in 2023, well above the historical average. Illness rates among females more than doubled between 2019 and 2024, rising from 9.7 to 22.4 per 1,000 workers.
The Role of Research and Training
Both the HSE and HSA emphasise the critical role of research and training in improving workplace safety. The HSE, as Great Britain's national regulator, uses scientific work and robust evidence to understand risks and intervene effectively, supporting innovation in safety practices. Similarly, the HSA publishes research and statistics, including studies on job stress and occupational health, to inform policy and initiatives. Organisations like Abertay Training play a vital role in translating these research findings and regulatory requirements into practical, effective training programs. Their courses help businesses and individuals meet their health and safety obligations, contributing to a safer working environment across various sectors. More information on their offerings can be found at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.