The number of people experiencing ill-health and injury in workplaces across the UK remains too high, according to the HSE’s latest statistics.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released the 2019 Health and Safety at work annual report which includes statistics for workplace injuries, work-related ill health, working days loss, enforcement action and related costs to Great Britain.
581,000 non-fatal injuries
While the UK continues to be one of the safest countries to work in, the HSE’s figures highlight that there remain crucial areas where there is a need to improve and to prevent ill health, injuries and fatalities.
Around 581,000 UK workers suffered non-fatal injuries in 2018/2019, while 1.4 million employees experienced work-related ill-health. The estimated economic cost to the UK totalled £15bn during this period, with construction and agriculture continuing to be sectors with the highest risk.
The statistics, gathered from several sources, including the Labour Force Survey, reveal that in the UK during 2018/2019, there were:
- 147 fatal injuries at work
- 4 million working people experiencing a work-related illness
- 364 cases prosecuted and resulted in a conviction. Fines totalled £54.5 million
- 28.2 million working days lost due to workplace injury and work-related illness.
“Share responsibility”
These figures highlight the challenge that the HSE faces in ensuring the UK is a healthy and safe place to work.
Martin Temple, HSE Chair, said: “Great Britain’s position as one of the safest places to work should be a point of pride for us all, but these figures show there is still much to be done to ensure workers go home both healthy and safe. These figures should highlight to us all the vital importance of managing risk and promoting behaviours to improve the standard of good health and safety practice in the workplace.
“We must all share the responsibility of ensuring everybody is aware of what they need to do to work right by preventing work-related incidents, and making our places of work healthier and safer for everyone.”
Read the HSE’s 2019 annual injury and ill-health statistics report.
