Provisional annual data for work-related fatal accidents in Great Britain's workplaces shows small change from previous years, sustaining a long term trend that has seen the rate of fatalities more than halve over the last 20 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provisional annual data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveals 142 workers were fatally injured at work between April 2014 and March 2015 (a rate of 0.46 fatalities per 100,000 workers). This compares to last year's all-time low of 136 (0.45 fatalities per 100,000 workers). Fatal injuries at work are thankfully rare events and as a consequence, the annual figures are subject to chance variation.

The statistics again confirm the UK to be one of the safest places to work in Europe, having one of the lowest rates of fatal injuries to workers in leading industrial nations.

HSE's Chair, Judith Hackitt, said: "It is disappointing last year's performance on fatal injuries has not been matched, but the trend continues to be one of improvement. Our systems and our framework remain strong as demonstrated by our performance in comparison to other countries."

Health and safety can be complex but it doesn't have to be. The British Safety Council has lots of resources to support you and has produced a new, easy to read Health and Safety in the Workplace booklet for you to share with your employees. Use it as part of your inductions or as a reminder of good health and safety practices.

Download it by clicking on the banner (right). You can also find more information on health and safety via the British Safety Council website britsafe.