Heath and saftey statistics reveal UK top of Europe
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People often complain about the amount of Heath and Safety now implemented in the workplace specifically in construction but according to the latest figures it seems that it has improve the statistic for the UK which now boast being to of Europe for fatalities and injuries.
The statistics show that, in the year 2013/14, there were;
- 133 fatal injuries – a fall from 150 the previous year.
- 77,593 other injuries reported under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). That equates to 304.6 injuries per 100,000 employees.
- An estimated two million people in 2013/14 suffering from an illness they believed was caused or made worse by current or past work.
Judith Hackitt commneted: “These latest figures remind us what health and safety is really about. We should remind ourselves what these numbers actually mean – the number of times in the last year someone went out to work and either did not return home to their loved ones or came home with life changing injuries.
“The health numbers also demonstrate the scale of harm being done to people’s health while at work, too often leading to premature death.
“Jobsworths using ‘elf n safety as a convenient excuse for all manner of things, and those claiming health and safety is a burden, need to reflect on this. Britain has one of the best health and safety systems in the world, but that is cold comfort to those who have suffered loss or suffering that is so easily avoided with sensible and proportionate risk management.
“We all need to commit to focussing on what really matters – ensuring more people return home from work every day and enjoy long and healthy working lives.”
The main industries in which workers are most likely to be injured in thier jobs have not changed that much with
- Construction (1900 major/specified injuries),
- Agriculture the next prelevent (292 major/specified injuries),
- Manufacturing (3159 major/specified injuries) and
- waste and recycling (486 major/specified injuries) among the higher risk sectors.
Philip White commented : “Another decrease in the rate of injuries in construction is clearly welcome, but I would urge the industry to avoid any feeling that it is ‘job done’.
“Construction remains one of Britain’s most dangerous sectors and initial analysis of the level of enforcement action in HSE’s recent refurbishment campaign confirms that there are still far too many poorly managed risks on sites around the country.
“Disappointingly, most of these risks are well known and have straightforward precautions.
“We will continue to work with the industry to develop sensible standards and promote risk awareness and control, while holding to account those that harm their workers and the public.”
