Latest Work-Related Fatal Injury Statistics Published

The HSE has published the statistics for work-related fatal injuries for the period from April 2023 to March 2024. The total number of work-related fatalities for this period was 138; this is a slight increase of 3 fatalities from the previous period of 2022-2023. Overall, the statistics continue to follow trends from previous years, with the number of fatalities broadly flat year on year.

The industry sectors with the highest rate of fatalities remain, with construction being the highest at 51 and agriculture, forestry, and fishing following at 23, then manufacturing with 16 fatalities.

Looking at the fatal injury rate per 100,000 workers employed, fatalities in the waste and recycling sector have shown an increased rate of fatal injury in this period, 9 times higher than the all-industry rate. The rate of fatalities in agriculture, forestry, and fishing was 21 times higher than the all-industry average, and the rate for construction was around 5 times higher.

The types of accidents with the most fatalities have also broadly remained the same. 86% of all fatalities can be accounted for by just 5 types of accidents. These being:

• 50 falls from height
• 25 struck by moving vehicle
• 20 struck by moving object
• 15 trapped by something collapsing or overturning
• 8 contact with moving machinery.

The number of fatalities due to falls from height remains the highest and has increased from 37 the previous year. The HSE stress that falls from height is a risk in any place of work, and the risks associated with working at height should be properly managed. Fatalities and serious injuries most commonly occur when falling from a roof, through fragile roofs, or through fragile roof lights. Some important things to remember when working at height include:

• Considering weather conditions that could pose a risk to workers working at height.
• Checking that a place where someone is working at height is safe.
• Stopping materials or objects from falling, or, if this is not possible, taking suitable measures to ensure no one is injured by falling materials or objects.
• Storing materials and objects safely to prevent injury if they are disturbed.
• Planning for emergencies and rescues.
• Using the correct equipment for the job and ensuring the equipment is in good condition.

In addition to the injury fatality figures, the HSE has also published figures for asbestos-related deaths. According to these statistics, an estimated 13 people die per day and 5,000 per year from asbestos-related diseases. The recent increase in the number of people dying is the result of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, taking many years to develop, with many individuals being exposed to asbestos prior to the banning of asbestos.

If you have any questions or would like support with managing issues at your workplace, please speak to your usual contact or get in touch using the form below.