The HSE has released annual figures for work-related fatal injuries for 2017/18.
The provisional annual data for work-related fatal injuries (across all industries) revealed that 144 workers were fatally injured between April 2017 and March 2018 (a rate of 0.45 per 100,000 workers).
This represents an increase of nine fatalities from 2016/17 although there has been a long-term reduction in the number of fatalities since 1981 and the number has remained broadly level in recent years.
Construction sector deaths
There were 38 worker deaths in the construction sector compared to an all-time low of 30 worker deaths in 2016/17. There were a further 6 fatalities in the construction sector which involved a non-worker member of the public.
The rate of fatal injury in construction is now 1.64 per 100,000 workers employed. This is around 4 times as high as the average rate across all industries.
HSE Chair Martin Temple said:
“Despite the fact that Britain’s health and safety record is the envy of much of the world, the increase in the number of workers fatally injured is clearly a source of concern. The figures serve as a reminder of why health and safety is so important and that we must not become complacent as we continue on our mission to prevent all forms of injury, death and ill health at work.”
