Shocking Work Accident Statistics In The UK

It’s a well known fact that accidents can and do happen in the workplace but the findings from The Health and Safety Executive’s health and safety report from 2009 / 2010 may shock you if you only associate minor injuries with the workplace.

Non-Fatal Injuries

Between the years of 2009 and 2010, 121,430 employees were involved in non-fatal injuries in the workplace. Of these employees, a whopping 95,369 reported that their injuries had forced them to take absence from work for three days or more, with slipping, tripping and lifting heavy items being among the most common injuries. The other 26, 061 reported accidents were declared as major injuries.

Although these statistics have been on the decrease year on year, with non-fatal injuries totalling 138,253 in 2007 / 2008 and 133,155 in 2008 / 2009, these injuries are still a great disruption to any employees’ life, who may suffer from physical, emotional and financial stress while they are out of work.

Fatal Injuries

Between the years of 2009 and 2010, 152 employees were fatally injured and killed whilst at work. 80 of these employees were killed whilst working on a construction site or in agriculture, which may not come as a surprise to you considering the amount of dangerous tools, machinery and materials involved in each sector.

Fatalities have also decreased year on year, with fatal injuries totally 233 in 2007 / 2008 and 179 in 2008 / 2009, but this doesn’t make life any easier for the ones that have suffered. The death of a family member can cause severe emotional pain and stress for the immediate family involved, especially if they are reliant on this person for financial income and support.

Fatal Diseases

Every year thousands of people die from fatal diseases due to past working conditions. On average, a staggering 8000 people die from carcinogenic cancer every year, with asbestos-related cancer claiming roughly half of those lives. One can only imagine the pain and suffering these people and their families go through.