09.08.2021

UK fatalities on the rise

The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued its annual workplace fatality figures with the number of deaths up 25 percent from 2019/20.

In total, there were 142 recorded fatalities in 2020/21 compared with a record low of 113 the previous year – see: Record low UK fatality numbers. That being said, it was still only four percent higher than the five year rolling average.

Falls from height remained the highest cause of death, with 35 people losing their life - approximately 25 percent of all workplace fatalities - with other major causes included being struck by a moving vehicle (17 percent) and being struck by moving objects (12 percent).
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Falls from height remain the leading cause of death in the UK

The construction sector recorded the highest number of fatal injuries (39), followed by the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry (34) and then the manufacturing industry (20). In addition, 60 members of the public were killed as a result of a work related incident in 2020/21.
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The construction and agriculture industries remain the most dangerous industries

HSE’s chief executive, Sarah Albon, said: “Whilst the working world in which we now live has created new health challenges for workers and for those who have a duty towards them, safety must also remain a priority. Whilst the picture has improved considerably over the longer term and Great Britain is one of the safest places to work in the world, every loss of life is a tragedy, we are committed to ensuring that workplaces are as safe as they can be and that employers are held to account and take their obligations seriously.”
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With a fatal injury rate of 0.43 deaths per 100,000 workers, the UK still has one of the lowest rates in Europe