Work-related ill health and injuries accounted for 33.7 million lost working days in Great Britain last year, the latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal.
A total of 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents last year, according to the Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain 2024 report. Taking employment levels into account, the 138 fatalities is the equivalent of a fatal injury rate of 0.42 per 100,000 workers.
Here’s a summary of the key points:
Work-related ill health
– 1.7 million workers reported suffering from work-related ill health, similar to 1.8 million in 2022/23
– 776,000 cases of stress, depression, or anxiety were reported in 2023/24 (down from 910,000 in 2022/23 but still higher than pre-pandemic levels)
– Rates of work-related ill health remain elevated compared to before the pandemic (2018/19).
Workplace injuries
– 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents
– 604,000 workers reported sustaining non-fatal injuries
– 33.7 million working days were lost due to self-reported work-related ill health or injury
– Workplace injuries and new cases of work-related ill health cost an estimated £21.6 billion in 2022/23, a decrease of £1.6 billion from 2021/22
Progress and challenges
– Over the past 50 years, there has been an 85% reduction in workplace fatal injuries.
– Despite improvements, work-related ill health and injuries remain significant challenges for worker safety and economic performance.
Commenting on the latest statistics, HSE’s chief executive, Sarah Albon, emphasised the regulator’s commitment to ensuring workplace safety and health, acknowledging progress while highlighting areas for improvement. ‘Today, Great Britain is one of the safest places in the world to work but these statistics serve as a reminder that there is still room for further improvement, and we remain committed to ensuring people remain safe and healthy wherever work is taking place,’ she said.
Source – HSE