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HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE UK: STATS SHOW IT’S IMPROVING!

Recent workplace health and safety statistics from HSE show that health and safety is improving throughout the UK. Figures for the 2014/15 period show that 142 people lost their life at work, equating to 0.46 deaths per 100,000 workers. Although this is a slightly larger number than the 2013/14 period of 136 or 0.45 per 100,000, it is down on the previous three years and in comparison with the rest of Europe, the fatality rate in UK workplaces is significantly lower.

Other notable statistics include:

  • The estimated number of working days lost has reduced from 39.5 million in 2000-02 to 27.3 million in 2014/15. This statistic dropped year on year since 2002-02 but has since levelled off in recent years.
  • In 2013/14, injuries and new cases of ill health in workers resulting largely from current working conditions cost society an estimated £14.3 billion; £9.4 billion from illness, £4.9 billion from injury. The estimated cost has generally fallen over the last decade, but shows signs of levelling off more recently.
  • There were 728 cases of prosecution for health and safety breaches in Great Britain throughout the 2014/15 period. These cases led to 682 convictions for at least one offence, (94% conviction rate), and total fines received of £19m. OF these cases, there was an increase of 2% conviction rate from the previous year in England and Wales and a significant increase of 49% in Scotland.

These improving statistics are an outcome of improved Health and Safety throughout the nation. People are becoming better educated on health and safety matters and the statistics show there are less accidents and fatalities as a result. The Law can also be seen as a contributing factor to these improved stats. Employers are legally obliged to have health and safety measures in place within the workplace and those who don’t not only risk the lives of those around them, but also risk a run in with the law, with prosecution and fines common for those who do not comply with the rules.

If health and safety is an area where you’d like to learn more, Fulcran run IOSH courses in Safety at Work. For more information, visit: Https://Www.Eventbrite.Co.Uk/D/United-Kingdom–Middlesbrough/Fulcran/?Mode=Search