While the personal injury claims market continues to grow, taking in both workplace and non-workplace accidents; how safe is it to work in the UK?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the regulator for workplace health and safety in the UK, releasing regular reports on the number of injuries and deaths in the workplace. A recent report, highlighting deaths in the workplace between April 2021 and March 2022, offered some hope for the future but still confirmed way too many deaths.
What is the HSE?
The HSE was set up as part of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which itself was created as a consequence of the 1972 Robens report into health and safety in the workplace. The act came into being in 1974 and the HSE was set up to prevent workplace deaths, injuries and ill-health. This is obviously a very complex area of law and the HSE uses an array of methods to influence change.
Providing advice, information and guidance
It is only when you see the figures relating to accidents and deaths in the workplace that the magnitude of the historic problem hits home. Consequently, the HSE provides an array of advice, information and guidance both for individual businesses as well as trade bodies.
Raising awareness
The only way to raise awareness, aside from financial penalties, is to engage and try to influence industry leaders. This is an area which the HSE has been particularly successful although the financial penalties have obviously played a part.
Licensing activities
There are many areas of business which are inherently dangerous, often involving hazardous chemicals or activities. The idea of licensing competent third parties to carry out these activities has played a major role in reducing deaths and injuries at work.
Inspections and investigations
Unless there is a way in which companies can be held to account, it is always going to be a challenge ridding businesses of rogue operators. Consequently, the introduction of inspections and formal investigations has certainly made many rogue operators think again.
Enforcement actions
A regulator with no enforcement powers is useless. Therefore, when the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 was introduced, this included enforcement powers for the HSE. Rather than being a toothless regulator, the HSE is now a hunter with the ability to close down rogue operations.
What did the most recent HSE report contain?
On Wednesday, 6 July 2022, the HSE published a report into workplace-related deaths covering the period April 2021 to March 2022. To all intents and purposes, this was after the main Covid lockdowns, a time when industry and businesses were returning to a degree of normality. There was also an initial boost in economic activity, many putting this down to pent-up demand, which did place many businesses under pressure.
Deaths over the period
During the period in question, 123 workers died as a consequence of workplace-related accidents. It will come as no surprise to learn the industries with the highest number of deaths:-
- Construction, 30
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing, 22
- Manufacturing, 22
While construction reported the greatest number of deaths, the sector with the most deaths per 100,000 workers was by far and away the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. The agriculture sector in particular continues to have significant problems with workplace deaths, due in the main to the machinery and chemicals used.
Most common causes of fatal injuries
Of the 123 workers who lost their lives over the period, the most common causes of fatal injuries were as follows:-
- Falling from a height, 29
- Being struck by a moving vehicle, 23
- Being struck by a moving object, 18
If we put aside the impact of the Covid pandemic, there has been a long-term decline in the number of fatalities in the workplace. However, in addition to the 123 employees fatally injured in the workplace, a further 80 members of the public died following work-related accidents. While this will surprise many people, it is above the historic average, probably impacted by Covid restrictions.
How safe is the UK for the workforce?
HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon put everything into perspective with a recent comment:-
“While Great Britain is one of the safest countries in the world to work, today’s figures show we must continue to ensure safety remains a priority.”
The HSE is more determined than ever to hold employers to account and make sure they abide by the rules and regulations of their industry. Unfortunately, for many businesses, the only language they listen to is cold hard cash. Therefore, we are likely to see an increase in maximum company fines and directors being held personally responsible.
Occupational diseases
These figures do not include deaths caused by occupational diseases arising from exposure to certain chemicals and materials. The main killer in this area is Mesothelioma which is caused by historic exposure to asbestos. Figures released by the HSE show that 2,544 people died from asbestos exposure in 2020, in line with the average of 2,523 over the previous eight years. However, this does not tell the whole story.
Those who died in 2020 were exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s which shows the hidden long term dangers of asbestos. While death numbers are expected to decline over the next decade, this won’t be a sharp decline, more likely a gradual reduction.
Conclusion
While we have seen a gradual reduction in workplace deaths in the UK in recent years, there is still more work to be done. The relative success of the HSE is often overshadowed by high-profile cases and ever-increasing maximum fines. If we take a step back and look at the situation from a distance, the UK is still one of the safest places in the world to work. Thankfully, in the event that employees are put at risk, injured or killed, not only will regulators become involved but victims can pursue personal injury compensation.
