The HSE has just issued some provisional fatality at work statistics for the period April 2014 – March 2015. The top line figure of 142 people killed at work remains relatively low although it is does show an increase of 6 deaths on last year. Over the latest 20 year time period there has been a downward trend in the rate of fatal injury, although more recently (since 2008/09) the trend is less clear.
To summarise the main findings - the Service industry had the highest rate with 51 deaths (21% higher than the average over the past 5 years), construction had 35, agriculture 33, manufacturing 16, utilities 6, waste and recycling 5 and mining /quarrying 1. The North West was the most dangerous region in the country with 20 deaths, South West 19 and Yorkshire & Humber 15. There were also 123 members of the public fatally injured in accidents connected to work.
“The HSE does a great job in keeping us all regularly updated on the statistics,” said Richard Nichols, SG World Sales and Marketing Director. “ I think anyone connected with the Health and Safety industry always looks past the numbers and thinks about the person who doesn’t make it back home from work to their family. This drives and motivates our customers in working with SG World towards a safer working environment.”