235 Work deaths last year

HSC press release C037:04

29 July 2004

Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), called for action from all sections of industry following the publication of the latest workplace statistics which show a 4% increase in the number of deaths at work last year.

New Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics report that 235 people were killed at work in 2003/04, eight more than in the previous year. 9% of all fatal injuries to workers occurred in one single incident when 21 people drowned while harvesting cockles in Morecambe Bay in February.

Bill Callaghan commented "I am disappointed that there has been no improvement in the number of reported fatalities this year- behind these aggregate figures represent 235 individual tragedies. These can be avoided, but often simple measures, ones that can prevent accidents are not being put in place.

"Clearly the results of this year's report show falls from height remain a big safety problem, but incidents such as Morecambe Bay raise new issues. HSE has been working with industry to provide guidance in this area of work as the investigation continues. All workers whatever their nationality or employment status are subject to the protection and responsibilities of health and safety law.

"Falls from height continue to account for a large proportion of fatal injuries to all workers amounting to 29% (67) of all incidents in 2003/04. This represents the first upturn in three years and the results confirm that fatal falls can and do occur across all sectors of industry with construction and services sectors presenting particular problems. Our falls from height programme will continue with a strategy of pilot projects and sector-based approaches aimed at maintaining the general downward trend. Implementation by the end of the year of the proposed Work at Height Regulations will feed other planned activity.

"There were 70 construction fatalities this reporting year - no change from last year. However, employment has increased in construction and the fatal injury rate fell to 3.55 deaths per hundred thousand workers, the lowest level on record.

"Being struck by a moving vehicle is also one of the common causes of fatality for workers, increasing from 39 to 44. Segregation of vehicles and pedestrians and reversing vehicles remain the most frequent hazards. However, we are developing and sharing best practice with industry and others to take action for safer vehicle design, selection and maintenance, better site layout and better driver training.

"The fatal statistics are one part of a composite indicator that go to show the overall picture of British industry's health and safety performance. Injury statistics, which are published later this year, will give further indications of how British industry is performing. These figures show that HSE's chosen priorities, as set out in the strategy document are correct and that concentrating on these key hazards in the workplace is the right thing to do. HSE and local authorities are concentrating their efforts on clear priorities. I look now to our stakeholders to take action.

"Great Britain has the second lowest rate of workplace fatalities in the European Union, beaten only by Sweden, but this should not be taken as a call for complacency. Most accidents can be easily prevented, though this needs the commitment of senior managers and the involvement of employees and the union representatives. These are the people who are best placed to achieve improvements. HSE are committed to being a good partner - working with others to improve health and safety, but this needs the support of industry to make sensible health and safety the cornerstone of a civilized society. "

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