HSE Publishes Health & Safety Statistics 2012/13 – Improved Performance, but Room for Improvement

Provisional figures published last week by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) on work-related health, safety and enforcement for the period between April 2012 and March 2013 show that Britain’s health and safety performance continues to improve.

However, statistics highlight that there is still room for improvement; 148 workers were fatally injured during this time and data over the past five years indicates a levelling off in the previous downward trend.

Reportable injuries leading to over-seven-day absence from work were estimated at 175,000, with the most frequent causes being manual handling, slips and trips and falls from height.

There are currently at least 4,500 asbestos-related deaths per year and this figure is still increasing. Despite a recent fall in the number of mesothelioma deaths, the overall trend remains upward, with the annual number expected to continue to increase in future years before peaking towards the end of this decade.

Workplace injuries and ill-health (excluding work related cancer) are still costing society an estimated £13.8 billion.*

Chair of HSE, Judith Hackitt said: “This year’s figures demonstrate that Britain continues to improve its health and safety performance, with important falls in the number of workers fatally injured and the number of employees suffering major injuries.

“But we still see too many deaths and injuries occur in the work place many of which could have been prevented through simple safety measures. Getting this right is the key to ensuring that everyone can make it home safely at the end of their working day.”

For more information on these published figures, click here.
To view our 3-step plan to assess, reduce and effectively manage the risks of slips and trips, please click here. If you have any concerns about health & safety at work, contact us.

* 2010/11 figure, based on 2011 prices.