European comparisons

Work-related deaths have been steadily reducing across the EU, and in GB.  Compared with other EU countries, GB performance is favourable, with relatively low rates of fatalities, accidents and ill health.

Although health & safety systems differ across Europe, and countries record different information, Eurostat publishes data in as standardised a form as possible:

• The rate of fatalities for UK workers in 2009 (0.59 per 100 000) is considerably lower than many other European Countries. This compares favourably with Germany (0.66 per 100 000), France (2.07 per 100 000), Italy (1.73 per 100 000), and Spain (2.04 per 100 000). (Eurostat)
• 2% of UK workers in 2007 reported an accident resulting in sick leave. This is lower than Germany (2.4%), France (3.6%), Spain (3.2%), Italy (2.3%) and the overall EU rate (2.3%). (Eurostat)
• 3.2% of UK workers in 2007 reported a work related illness resulting in sick leave, this was lower than Germany (4.6%), Italy (3.3%), Spain (4.2%) and the overall EU rate (5.3%).
• EU15 includes: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and UK

Standardised incidence rates (per 100 000 workers) of fatal injuries at work in GB and the EU, 1998-2007, and GB 2008-2009 estimated incidence rate (Eurostat)

The chart above shows the rates of fatal injury across the EU-15 and GB between 1998 and 2007, which have fallen. Rates were calculated differently from 2008, but show a continuing downward trend for GB, EU-15 data is only available for 2009.