The number of workplace fatalities in Great Britain increased last year, with the rate of fatal injury remaining highest in agriculture, forestry and fishing, and waste and recycling.
Some 142 workers were killed in work accidents in the 12 months to 31 March 2021 according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – an increase of 31 on the previous year.
However, the HSE urged caution when comparing the figures with previous years’ statistics, as pandemic measures, including the furlough scheme and the resulting reduction in hours worked, would have had an impact on numbers.
More than half of fatal injuries to workers were in the agriculture, forestry and fishing (34), and construction sectors (39). However, taking employment levels into account, the rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers was greatest in agriculture, forestry and fishing and waste and recycling.
Some 27% of the deaths in 2020/21 involved workers aged 60 and over, despite only accounting for 10% of the workforce.
Falls from height were the most common cause of death, responsible for 35 fatalities. This was followed by being struck by a moving vehicle (25 deaths), struck by a moving object (17), trapped by something collapsing or overturning (14) and contact with moving machinery (14).
Despite the increase in fatalities in 2020/21 compared with the previous year, there has been a downward trend in the rate of workplace deaths per 100,000 workers in Great Britain. The rate has been broadly flat over the past decade.
The overall rate of fatal injury at work per 100,000 employees (0.61) remained low compared with other European nations. The rate across the EU 28 in 2020/21 was 1.17, with Britain behind only Ireland, Germany, Finland and Malta.
However, the death rate is still too high and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) urged employers to ensure they are properly managing health and safety risks, including any new risks that may be presented through new operating models, new technology or equipment.
“Increases in fatalities are very concerning, but we must also remember that lockdown restrictions in 2019/2020 may have be a contributing factor to the previous year’s record low figures rather than improved risk management and prevention in the workplace,” said Ruth Wilkinson, health of health and safety at IOSH.
“All 142 deaths last year were avoidable tragedies which will have left devastated families and friends having to come to terms with their loss. No one should have their life cut short by work, or through others’ work activities, which is why we must continue to reduce this number further through good health and safety management practices.”
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The HSE’s Workplace fatal injuries in Great Britain 2021 report said: “Fatal injuries are thankfully rare events. There is a degree of chance and randomness to the annual count resulting in an element of natural variation from one year’s count to the next.
“It should be noted though that the coronavirus pandemic and the government response to its impact have had a significant effect on the UK labour market in 2020/21. Many businesses have ceased operating or have changed their working practices, while government interventions have allowed for the furloughing of workers… The number of workplace deaths in 2020/21 should be seen in the context of these challenges in the labour market in 2020/21 and makes interpretation of comparisons with earlier years difficult.”
