The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have revealed that the number of people killed at work has fallen to a record low. There were 180 deaths in the 12 months to March, down from 233 the previous year and the lowest since records began in 1974.
Fatal injuries in agriculture fell from 46 to 26, while in construction the total fell from 72 to 53. The number of fatalities among service workers fell from 73 to 63 and dropped by five to 32 among manufacturing employees.
Campaigners say the figures support the case for strong workplace health and safety regulation. HSE chairman Judith Hackitt said, "We can take heart from the fact that Great Britain consistently has fewer fatal injuries than comparable industrialised nations in the rest of Europe." Nonetheless, Mrs Hackitt added, "Statistics on fatal injuries do not give us the whole picture. Work-related ill health is a significant problem and accounts for four times more working days lost than workplace injury."
Last year, 34 million working days were lost through ill health and injuries in the UK and 2.1 million people suffered from a work-related health problem.
There has been a long-term downward trend in the rate of fatal injuries since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the establishment of the HSE in 1974, when more than 650 workers died as a result of workplace safety failings. However, the year-on-year improvement has become less marked in recent years.
Moreover, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber warned against complacency. He commented, "Every death is one too many and can be avoided. Nor should these record low figures be seen as evidence that employers are taking more care. Falls in injury and death rates are usual during a recession because fewer new employees are being recruited."
