To coincide with the 50th anniversary of The Robens Report in 1972, which led to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the latest details about deaths in the workplace. Full details can be found on this link.
Between April 2021 and March 2022, they reported 123 deaths (under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), from injuries in the workplace. Men made up 93% of these fatalities (94%).
33% of the fatalities were self-employed, even though such workers make up only 16% of the workforce.
24% (29 deaths) of those who died were over the age of 60 even though this age group constitute only 11% of the workforce. The over-65 death rate was four times the average across all age groups.
The most common causes were:
- Falls from height, which caused 29 deaths (24%)
- Being struck by moving vehicles, which caused 23 deaths (19%)
- Being struck by moving, falling or flying objects, causing 18 deaths (15%)
Four industries accounted for 73% of the reportable deaths.
- The construction industry ‘s death rate was four times the average across all the-industry
rate.
- Waste and recycling industry death rate was eleven times the all-industry rate.
- The manufacturing sector death rate was 1.5 times higher than the average all-industry
rate.
- The transport and storage sector had a fatality rate twice as high as the all-industry rate.
These statistics are intended as a guide to illustrate where workplace fatalities are occurring and who appears to be at risk. The fatality rate among those over 60 and the self-employed indicates that more needs to be done to safeguard their safety. Often, self-employed independent contractors are left to their own devices, and assumptions are made that they manage their own safety. To an extent, that is true, but businesses must not overlook the fact that they are operating on your premises, and it is your duty to induct them, to check/verify their health and safety procedures to ensure that they are competent to conduct their tasks whilst maintaining their safety. With the over-60 group, more can and should be done to protect them. They are likely to be experienced workers, but equally likely to be less conscious of hazards. “I’ve done this job for 40 years without any injuries” is a common attitude, and employers need to educate and persevere with their efforts to protect them.
The article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice.
Should you need any further assistance on the matter, please do not hesitate to call our advice-line team for free on 0116 274 9193.
