02.11.2006

UK accident statistics released

The Health and Safety Executive has published the official accident statistics for 2005/2006.

Construction and Agriculture continue to be responsible for almost half of all workplace fatalities. However construction deaths dropped to 59, the lowest on record. (33 died in Agriculture).

Falling from a height continues to be the most common type of accident, accounting for 22 percent of workplace fatalities.

However the number of deaths from falls declined from 53 to 46, the lowest on record. In particular, deaths from ‘high falls’ (over 2 metres) have reduced to 26, from an average of 48 per year over the past five years.

Being struck by a moving vehicle, and being struck by a moving or falling object, are the next most common kinds of fatal injury.

In 2003, the most recent year for which comparable data is available, the rate of fatal injuries to workers in Great Britain was the lowest of all European Union states.