Workplace fatality figures have been released for 2020/21 and they’re worryingly high

Safety & Health Practioner recently reported on the The figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

“Provisional data shows that a total of 142 workers were killed at work in Great Britain in 2020/21, an increase of 29 from the previous year, though the number of deaths in 2019/20 (113) was low compared to other recent years.

In statistical terms the number of fatalities has remained broadly level in recent years – the average annual number of workers killed at work over the five years 2016/17-2020/21 is 136.”

It is perhaps surprising that there was an increase in workplace fatalities in a year when for many they did not spend much time in the workplace.

Most importantly it’s still 142 preventable deaths too many. In a time when the retirement age is being pushed up, worryingly 30% of the fatalities are made up of workers aged 60 and over – yet the over 60’s only account for 11% of the workforce.

HSE’s Chief Executive, Sarah Albon, said: “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.

The three most common causes of fatal injuries continue to be:

• Workers falling from height (35).

• Being struck by a moving vehicle (25), and

• Being struck by a moving object (17).

Those three causes of death account for more than half of fatalities in 2020/21.”

You can view more on these HSE statistics via the MRS Training & Rescue infographic here.

As work accident claims specialists we are appalled by any workplace accident, let alone fatality. Our Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help you, if you’ve experienced any kind of injury in your workplace that wasn’t your fault.

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