The HSE annual report has been published for work related injuries and fatalities for 2018/19 – The report is based on annual data for the period April 2018 to March 2019. The HSE Annual Report gives us a yearly figure in relation to the number of (fatal and non-fatal) work injuries for 2018/19.
Key figures for Great Britain (2018/19):
The data analysed shows that between April 2018 and March 2019, 147 workers were fatally injured at work. This represents an increase of six from 2017/18. Of the 147 workers killed in 2018/19, 106 were employees and 41 were self-employed compared with 97 employees and 44 self-employed persons in 2017/18.
It is clear from the HSE Annual Report figures that the Construction and Agriculture industry sectors still account for the largest number of fatalities, with 30 (down from 38 last year) and 32 (an increase of three from last year) deaths recorded. There were 26 fatalities in the Manufacturing sector, which is an increase of 11 deaths from the previous year.
The three most common causes of fatal injuries continue to be down to: workers falling from height (40), being struck by a moving vehicle (30) and being struck by a moving object (16), accounting for nearly 80% of fatal injuries in 2018/19. Half of all fall from height deaths over the last five years were in the construction sector (annual average 18 per year).
92 Members of the public were killed due to work related activities in 2018/19.
Figures from the HSE Annual Report show that there were 581,000 self-reported non-fatal injuries and there were a further 69,208 employer reported incidents in 2018/19. Leading the list is slip, trips and falls accounting for 29% of accidents. Injuries related to lifting or handling closely followed causing 20% of accidents while being struck by an object accounted for 10% of injuries. There are some variations in the figures within the industrial sector. Construction has the highest proportion of non-fatal injuries through falls from height accounting for 19% in 2018-19.
To succeed in reducing workplace ill health, it’s critical that everyone embraces their responsibilities – employers have a duty to ensure that everyone can ‘Go Home Safe’ from work, and employees need to play their part too: this is one of the HSE’s key campaigns currently, encouraging everyone to ‘do the right thing’ and protect workers safety.
It’s essential that risk assessments, safe systems of work and method statements are in place and that they have been communicated effectively and understood by those signing them. These types of accidents and incidents can largely be avoided through effective training, supervision, monitoring and clear documentation. Oxford Safety Components can assist you in choosing the correct equipment for you and your business and also provide training and method statements.
