HSE Workplace incident figures

The stats are in – workplace incident figures have been released for 2020/2021   The HSE has released their statistics for Great Britain for 2020/2021 which are as follows;

• 1.7 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which
  • 822,000 workers suffering work-related stress, depression or anxiety
  • 470,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder
  • 93,000 workers suffering from COVID-19 which they believe may have been from exposure to coronavirus at work
• 2,369 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2019)
• 142 workers were killed at work
• 441,000 working people sustained an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey
• 51,211 injuries to employees were reported under RIDDOR

  The construction industry saw the biggest number of musculoskeletal injuries as a result of work. Generally across all sectors the types of injury are broken down as follows;

• 45% Upper limbs or neck
• 16% Lower limbs
• 39% Back

With regards to occupational lung disease 12,000 lung disease deaths each year are estimated to be linked to past exposure at work.  This is further broken down as;

• 20% Mesothelioma
• 20% asbestos related lung cancer
• 23% non asbestos related lung cancer
• 34% COPD

In addition there were an estimated 17,000 new cases of breathing or lung problems caused or made worse by work each year on average over the last 3 years according to self-reports from the Labour Force Survey. With regards to other types of accident at work they are given as below;

• Slips, trips or falls on same level 33%
• Handling, lifting or carrying 18%
• Struck by moving object 10%
• Acts of violence 8%
• Falls from a height 10%

The most dangerous occupations with above average levels of workplace injury are confirmed as agriculture (including forestry and fishing), construction, accommodation, the food and service industries, wholesale retail/trade and repair of motor vehicles industries. Should you be unfortunate to suffer an accident at work or develop an illness due to exposure to a chemical or allergen at work, please feel free to contact our Personal Injury team who have over 30 years’ experience of helping people recover compensation on 01270 762325 or PI@poolealcock.co.uk. We are happy to help.