HSE Statistics Reveal an Increase in Fatal Accidents at Work

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health by regulating workplace health and safety in Britain. Latest 2020/21 figures released by the HSE reveal there has been an increase in fatal accidents at work.

In this article, our experienced Personal Injury team examine the latest accident at work statistics released by the HSE.

Health & Safety Statistics 2020/21

Below is a summary of key statistics taken from HSE’s 2020/2021 report:

  • 7 million workers suffering from work-related ill health (new or long-standing).
  • 8 million works suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety (new or long-standing).
  • 5 million workers suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (new or long-standing).
  • 93,000 workers suffering from Covid-19, which they believe may have been from exposure to Coronavirus at work.
  • 6 million workers suffering from a work-related illness caused or made worse by the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.
  • 4 million workers sustaining a non-fatal injury.
  • 142 workers killed at work.
  • 12,000 lung disease deaths each year estimated to be linked to past exposures at work.

Read the full Health and Safety at Work 2020/21 Statistics.

Increase in Fatal Accidents at Work

In 2020/21 there were 142 fatal accidents at work reported to RIDDOR, which is a 27.9% increase compared to 111 fatalities in 2019/20. Please note, due to RIDDOR’s reporting criteria, these figures do not include fatal work-related diseases or fatal accidents on non-rail transport systems.

Fortunately, fatal accidents at work are rare, but they can and do happen.

The sector with the most workplace fatalities reported in 2020/21 was the construction industry, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing, manufacturing, transportation and storage industries.

Main Causes of Fatal Accidents at Work

According to HSE’s latest statistics the main cause of fatal accidents at work is falls from a height, which accounted for 25% of fatal accidents at work. Other causes of fatalities at work include:

  • Hit by a moving object
  • Struck by a moving vehicle
  • Contact with moving machinery
  • Trapped by something collapsing

To prevent fatal accidents at work an employer should conduct a thorough risk assessment of the premises before work is carried out to ensure that any hazards are identified and managed before they cause an accident.

Making a Fatal Accident Compensation Claim

If you’ve lost a loved one because of a fatal accident at work, you could be entitled to claim compensation on their behalf.

Pursuing a claim for compensation can prove vital to ensure you are not left with a financial burden following your loved one’s death.

Our experienced Personal Injury Solicitors are here to support you, we offer a free initial consultation, where we will carefully listen to you and ensure you get the support you need following the death of your loved one.

Contact us on 033 3344 9600 or simply email [email protected] with your request.

Specialist Personal Injury Solicitors

Morrish Solicitors is a long-established law firm based in West Yorkshire providing a range of legal services acting locally, regionally and nationally. We have an experienced team of Personal Injury Solicitors who are renowned for their ability to recover significant compensation on behalf of clients injured because of someone else’s negligence.

Our Personal Injury Solicitors specialise in:

Morrish Solicitors offer ‘No Win No Fee’ arrangement on personal injury claims giving you the reassurance that you will not have to pay anything if the claim is unsuccessful. Please note, personal injury claims are subject to strict deadlines by law you must normally submit your claim to the Court within 3 years of your injury.

If you or a loved one have suffered injury, illness or disease because of someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact our experienced team today on 033 3344 9600 or simply email [email protected] to arrange your free initial consultation.