The national regulator for health and safety in Great Britain, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) celebrated its 50th Anniversary on the 1 January 2025.
Created by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the HSE was officially launched on 1 January 1975.
For the last 50 years it has played a central role in reducing workplace death and injury, helping Great Britain become one of the safest places in the world to work.
In 1974, 651 employees were killed at work, whereas HSE's latest annual statistics for 2023/24 show that number has reduced to 138.
Sarah Albon, Chief Executive of HSE, has said that despite the transformation of Britain's workplaces over the past half century, the mission of the regulator remains as relevant as ever.
Albon said: "Over the past half century, the Health and Safety Executive has led the way in establishing Great Britain as a safe place to work. As we look ahead to the next 50 years, we recognise there is still much for HSE to take on".
"We’re proud of our successes over the last five decades, but the fact remains that any work-related death is a tragedy, and there are still far too many workers suffering ill-health brought about by work activity".
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, said: "Over the last half-century this organisation has been at the heart of efforts to protect people and places across Britain: I would like to thank them for this vital work".
"As we support more people to get into work through our Get Britain Working White paper, and as we move to strengthen protection for workers, their mission will be as important as ever – now and long into the future".
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