HSE NI publish health and safety report for 2020/21

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSE NI) have published their annual report and account for the 2020-21 period.

The report sets out statistics for how Northern Ireland has performed in terms of the amount of the amount of health and safety reportable injuries, fatalities and complaints in 2020/21.

In terms of workplace fatalities, there were 11 in 2020/21, the same amount as the previous year. By sector, the fatalities were as follows:

• five in agriculture, up from just one the previous year;
• three in construction, down one from 2019/20;
• two in general manufacturing, again down one from the previous period;
• one in extractive industries.

The causes of these tragic workplace fatalities were:

• fall from height - five fatalities;
• crush injuries - two fatalities;
• crushed by cattle - one fatality;
• struck by moving vehicle - one fatality;
• electrocution - one fatality;
• drowning - one fatality.

There were 168 reported major injuries in 2020/21, a decrease of 46% on the previous years total of 290 major injuries, the lowest amount recorded over the last five years.

The causes of these reported major injuries were:

• 45% slips/trips;
• 20% fall from height;
• 14% struck by a moving object, including vehicles;
• 6% machinery;
• 4% assault/violence;
• 3% handling;
• 8% remainder.

Similarly the amount of reported over three day injuries was at a five year low, with 1626 recorded, down 16% from the previous year.

Causes for the reported over three day injuries were:

• 23% handling;
• 19% struck by a moving object, including vehicles;
• 19% slips/trips;
• 11% fall from height;
• 9% assault/violence;
• 5% machinery;
• 14% remainder.

The sector breakdown for all reported injuries, both major and over three day, which were down 16% in total from 2019/20, is as follows:

• 47% occurred in the public sector;
• 18% in manufacturing, utilities and docks;
• 16% in agriculture and food;
• 10% in construction;
• 5% in major hazards, gas and transport;
• 4% in extractive industries and waste.

Complaints received by the HSE NI relating to alleged unsatisfactory working conditions and work-related activities saw a record high. There was a 64% increase in the number of complaints in 2020/21 from the previous year, with a total of 1815 being received. The HSE NI attribute this large increase to the significant number of complaints they received relating to COVID-19.

For a full breakdown of the HSE NI's performance statistics and accounts report for 2020/21, see:

• HSE NI Annual report and accounts - 1 April 2020 - 31 March 2021.