Risk, Health and Safety Information

HSE releases annual workplace fatality statistics

Provisional annual data for work-related fatal accidents in Great Britain’s workplaces shows small change from previous years, sustaining a long term trend that has seen the rate of fatalities more than halve over the last 20 years. 

Data released by the HSE reveals 142 workers were fatally injured at work between April 2014 and March 2015 (a rate of 0.46 fatalities per 100,000 workers). This compares to last year’s all-time low of 136 (0.45 fatalities per 100,000 workers). 

The statistics again confirm the UK to be one of the safest places to work in Europe, having one of the lowest rates of fatal injuries to workers in leading industrial nations. 

The new figures show the rate of fatal injuries in key industrial sectors:

·         25% of the annual fatalities were in the construction industry - a rate of 1.62 deaths per 100,000 workers.  The number of deaths was 35 which is a reduction versus previous years, averaging 45 in the past five years.

·         5 fatal injuries to waste and recycling workers were recorded – a rate of 4.31 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to an average of 6 deaths in the past five years. 

HSE has also released the latest available figures on deaths from asbestos-related cancer. Mesothelioma, one of the few work related diseases where deaths can be counted directly, contracted through past exposure to asbestos killed 2,538 in Great Britain in 2013 compared to 2,548 in 2012. 

Demolition firm fined after worker died

Building contractor, Euro Dismantling Solutions Limited was fined for safety failings after a man lost his life during demolition works.[1]

Bristol Crown Court heard how demolition work was taking place at former Cadburys Somerdale factory near Bristol on 9 November 2011 when 31-year-old James Stacey drove a mini digger out of a fourth floor opening.

He was using the opening as part of a ‘drop zone’ to drop large fibreglass tanks that had been cut in half to the ground below. The opening was not properly protected to prevent the machine falling from the building and the tank got stuck on the digger and pulled the vehicle with it.  Mr Stacey died from his injuries.

Euro Dismantling Solutions Limited (now in liquidation) pleaded guilty to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 after they failed to ensure the safety of James Stacey whilst carrying out demolition work.  They were fined £80,000.

Site Supervisor, Paul Ben Priestley (54) was also charged under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 after failing to take reasonable care. He denied the charges but was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 21 May 2015 and was given a 12 month custodial sentence, suspended for two years and costs of £7,500.

Firm fined after a man fell through fragile roof onto concrete

A construction company was fined after a worker fell through a roof three metres onto a concrete floor below.

Reading Magistrates’ Court heard how Barski Developments Limited had been contracted to refurbish a number of industrial units at Slough Business Park in the autumn of 2013.

The work included cleaning and repair work to the multi pitched asbestos cement roofs over the units. The work was to be done by sub-contractors under the direct control of director of the company. A large part of the roof comprised of vertical polycarbonate skylights along the internal gutters of the roof.

During the work, 55-year-old sub-contractor, Stanislaw Jakubus, fell three metres through the fragile material to a concrete floor below. He suffered multiple injuries including cracked ribs and was unable to work for two months.

Barski Developments Limited, of Munster Road, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1)(a) and 9(2)(a) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £20,000 with costs of £880 with £120 victim surcharge.