New figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have shown a drop in the numbers of people killed or seriously injured whilst at work. In the year to April, 229 people lost their lives in accidents at work in the UK, a 5% fall compared to 2006-2007. The number of people seriously injured stood at 229,000.
The figures, published last week, also reveal the impact that injuries and ill health can have in terms of time taken off work, with 34 million working days lost in the last year alone. Some 2.1 million people were said to be suffering from some form of work-related disease, with the TUC expressing concern at the lack of progress in reducing this figure.
Speaking at the release of the figures, chairman of the HSE, Judith Hackett said that whilst the HSE welcomed the reduction in the number of people being injured or made ill by work, there were still several areas of concern where certain types of accidents where not being reduced. Ms. Hackett highlighted the number of slips and trips as well as accidents in agriculture, construction and the waste and recycling industries as areas where employers should not “take their eyes off the ball”.
The TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber responded to the release of the report, saying: “Recent figures suggest greater enforcement of the law has reduced injuries at work. So clearly we need more enforcement – particularly in areas of occupational health such as tackling repetitive strain injuries, back pain and stress, as these make up three quarters of work-related ill-health and are workers’ main safety concerns.”
Camps Solicitors welcome the news that workplace deaths and serious injuries continue to fall, however we realise that for those injured, and for the families of those killed in accidents at work, it is of little comfort.
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