Historical picture
Trends in work-related injuries and ill health since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 1974
British industry has changed substantially since the introduction of the HSWA in 1974 and data shows there have been large reductions in work-related injury and ill health.
Between 1974 and 2011:
- Fatal injuries to employees have fallen by 82%
- Reported non-fatal injuries have fallen by 76%
- Research commissioned by HSE suggests about half of the reduction in non-fatal injuries is due to changing patterns of employment and the mix of occupations
- Deaths from asbestos-related diseases continue to increase but cases occurring now arise mainly from exposure to asbestos 30-40 years ago
- There was a decrease in the total number of cases of work-related illness and specifically musculoskeletal disorders (LFS 1990-2010/11).
- There was an increase in the total number of cases of stress, depression and anxiety although it is likely that awareness and attitudes to work-related stress changed in the 1990s which will have affected reporting (LFS 1990-2010/11)
Earliest and latest data on injuries and ill health since the introduction of the HSWA
| Summary description |
Year |
| Earliest |
Latest |
| Workplace injury (2010/11 data adjusted to align with 1974 reporting requirements) |
1974 |
2010/11 |
| Fatal injuries to employees |
651 |
116 |
| Rate of fatal injury per 100 000 employees |
2.9 |
0.5 |
| Reported non-fatal injuries to employees |
336 701 |
80 479 |
| Occupational diseases |
1974 |
2009 |
| Deaths from pneumoconiosis |
453 |
149 |
| Deaths from asbestosis |
25 |
189 |
| Deaths from mesothelioma |
243 |
2 321 |
| Rate of self-reported work-related illness (2010/11 data adjusted to align with 1990 survey definitions where possible) |
1990 |
2010/11 |
| Overall rate per 100 000 employed |
5 940 |
3 820 |
| Rate of Musculoskeletal disorders per 100 000 employed |
2 750 |
1 690 |
| Rate of stress and related conditions per 100 000 employed |
820 |
1 330 |
