135 employees killed in work-related accidents this year, figures reveal

More than 100 employees were killed in work-related accidents over the past year, new figures show.

Meanwhile, the statistics, released by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also revealed that more than half a million workers sustained self-reported non-fatal injury in the workplace during the same period.

The annual statistics have shown that injuries at work are on the rise as in the recent years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of self-reported work-related ill health had been broadly flat, but the current rate is higher than in 2018/19.

In total, 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23, while 561,000 workers sustained a self-reported non-fatal injury in the workplace during the same period.

Meanwhile, overall, 1.8 million workers in Great Britain reported suffering from work-related ill health with approximately half of the cases down to stress, depression or anxiety.

HSE’s chief executive Sarah Albon said:

“Preventing or tackling work-related stress can provide significant benefits to employees, improving their experience of work and their overall health; and also to employers including increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and reduced staff turnover.”

HSE’s statistics also revealed the impact work-related ill health and workplace injuries are having on Britain’s economic performance.

In 2021/22, the estimated annual costs of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health reached £20.7 billion, representing a £1.9 billion increase compared with 2019/20. And 35.2 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury

Accidents at Work – Employer Liability

Employers have a liability to ensure their workers are safe under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The regulations set out a number of rules including providing a safe working environment that is properly maintained, where operations within it are conducted safely and adequate welfare provisions for staff at work.

It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act. A breach of provisions of regulations can be punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.

If you have suffered from a work-related accident, get in touch with Oakwood Solicitors today.

Further reading

Accidents at work – Oakwood Solicitors

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