Work-related injury and ill health levels continue downward trend

Levels of work-related injury and ill health in Britain continued to fall last year, according to new statistics released today (2 November).

HSE figures for the period between April 2010 and March 2011 show that there was a 6-per-cent drop in both major and serious injuries among employees. The former – which include amputations, fractures and burns – decreased from 26,268 in 2009/10 to 24,726 last year, while over-three-day injuries went down from 96,427 to 90,653. The latest figures correspond to injury rates per 100,000 workers of 99 and 363.1, respectively.

The most common causes of major injuries were slips and trips, and falls from height. Most over-three-day injuries were caused by handling, lifting, or carrying, and slips and trips. Transport and storage, construction, manufacturing and health and social work had significantly higher rates of injury than other sectors, while the occupations with the highest injury rates included process, plant and machine operation and skilled trades.

As in previous years, the construction and agricultural industries reported the highest levels of major work-related injuries, with rates per 100,000 workers of 173.2 and 221.9, respectively.

In terms of ill health, some 1.2 million people suffered from an illness caused, or made worse by their work, down from 1.3 million in 2009/10. Around half a million were new cases, i.e. arising among workers in the last 12 months, and around three-quarters of these were either musculoskeletal or stress disorders. The latter, which includes anxiety and depression, gave rise to the most working days lost.

The new figures follow the announcement in June this year of the number of workplace deaths in 2010/11, which, at 171, represented an increase of 16 per cent on the previous year’s record low.

Altogether, the figures confirm that Britain has the lowest rate of fatal occupational injuries and one of the lowest levels of work-related ill health in Europe. Its record on workplace injuries is in line with that of other large economies, such as Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
 
HSE chair Judith Hackitt said: “The fall in the number of people being injured by work is, of course, to be welcomed but we did also see an increase in the number of fatalities during the year. Britain can be proud that it has one of the best health and safety records in Europe but as the increase in the number of fatalities makes clear, we can never let up in our commitment to addressing the serious risks which continue to cause death and injury in workplaces.”

She concluded: “The HSE will continue to work with employers, employees and other organisations to maintain and, where necessary improve, health and safety standards. We all have a responsibility to make sure serious workplace risks are sensibly managed.”
But construction union UCATT said the figures were “a terrible indictment of the dangers faced by construction workers”.  Acting general secretary George Guy added: “The rise in deaths came at a time when workloads are low. As work levels increase and new workers enter the industry, I fear that death rates will rise.”

IOSH welcomed the “slightly improved” injury and ill-health figures but emphasised there was more to be done. Said head of policy and public affairs, Richard Jones: “In the current climate it can be difficult to tell whether these figures show genuine improvement in occupational safety and health management, or whether they reflect lower levels of industrial activity during this period of austerity.”
Enforcement levels in 2010/11 – before the 35-per-cent cut to the regulator’s budget and its subsequent scaling back of enforcement in certain sectors – rose, with the number of health and safety cases prosecuted by the HSE up 9 per cent. Its conviction rate among the 551 cases that came to court was 94 per cent. The total amount of fines levied was £18.6 million, giving an average penalty on conviction of £35,938 per case. Local authorities prosecuted 129 cases – an increase of 10 per cent on the previous year.

A total of 11,020 enforcement notices was issued by the HSE – up 13 per cent on 2009/10 – with Improvement Notices showing the greatest increase (up 23 per cent).