Overview of Work-Related Fatalities, Injuries, and Ill-Health (2023/24)
At the end of November 2024, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) released the latest statistics regarding work-related fatalities, workplace injuries, and ill-health.
It has been 50 years since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Since its passage into law, there has been an impressive 85% reduction in the number of workers fatally injured at work. While this reduction is a significant achievement, it is clear that there is still more to be done.
Key Statistics for 2023/24
Work-Related Fatalities
In 2023/24, there were 138 work-related deaths reported. Additionally, there were 604,000 self-reported (by employers) non-fatal injuries in the workplace. The fatality figures can be further broken down as follows:
- Construction Activities: 51 fatalities
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing: 23 fatalities
- Manufacturing: 16 fatalities
- Admin and Support: 12 fatalities
- Transportation and Storage: 11 fatalities
- Wholesale, Retail, MVR, Accommodation, and Food: 9 fatalities
- Waste and Recycling: 4 fatalities
- Other: 12 fatalities
Work-Related Ill-Health
A total of 1.7 million workers suffered from work-related ill-health between April 2023 and March 2024, a slight reduction from the 1.8 million in the previous year, though still an increase compared to pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2018/19.
Nearly half of those affected (an estimated 776,000 workers in 2023/24) reported ill-health related to stress, depression, or anxiety. This figure is down from 910,000 in 2022/23 but remains higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Impact on Working Days and Costs
Work-related ill-health led to 33.7 million working days lost in 2023/24. Additionally, the latest figures (2022/23) show that the annual cost of injury and new cases of work-related ill-health was £21.6 billion, representing a decrease of £1.6 billion compared to 2021/22.
Moving Forward: Staying Committed to Health and Safety
While Britain remains one of the safest places in the world to work, complacency is not an option. We must continue to ensure that all workers, whether casual, part-time, full-time, or self-employed, remain safe and healthy. This commitment is crucial to minimise both personal and financial costs.
To help ensure safety, REMEMBER to:
- Conduct risk assessments as and when required (prior to undertaking activities).
- Provide training on the risks involved and effective risk management.
- Supervise continual risk management, as necessary, until competence is demonstrated.
- Conduct formal reviews of procedures regularly.
- Update training (e.g., toolbox talks, in-house sessions, or external formal training).
- Keep and update records of the above processes.
By staying vigilant and proactive, we can continue to build on the successes of the past 50 years and ensure a safer future for all workers.