29.07.2005

UK accident statistics

The UK’s Health and Safety Commission has released the 2004 to 2005 statistics for accidents at work. They show that overall 220 workers died in the year, 16 less than in 2003/4. 53 of the deaths were caused by falls from a height, down from 68 last year but still above the level recorded in 2002/3 of 50.

The construction industry saw a small rise in fatalities to 72, 28 of which were caused by falls from heights. With the number of people employed in Construction up by over 100,000 the HSE points out that the number of deaths per thousand showed an improvement.

Bill Callaghan, chairman of the Health and Safety Commission said "Clearly the results of this years report show falls from height remain a big problem amounting to 1 in 4 of all fatalities to workers in 2004/05. This is a particular concern especially in the construction and services sectors. The new Work at Height Regulations require planning, competent people, and selection of appropriate, maintained equipment - a common sense approach that shouldn't be beyond anyone."
The second most common cause of death at work is being struck by a moving vehicle, although this dropped from 44 to 35 in the past year. It was this statistic that has triggered some Health and Safety staff to encourage the use of small tower cranes in place of telescopic handlers or other mobile site equipment.

While 220 deaths might seem shocking, it is the second lowest in Europe after Sweden, when measured in deaths per thousand of the working population.