HSE have started off the New Year by making a fresh appeal to reduce the number of deaths and accidents in the workplace.
The new HSE appeal has been released to mark the HSE’s 40th anniversary. They hope to reiterate the importance of workplace safety and encourage employees across England and Scotland to make the wellbeing of the employee the priority this year.
What difference have the HSE made?
Since the HSE were established in January 1975 they have made an enormous impact on workplaces across the UK, enforcing the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). This act is the fundamental structure of health and safety in the workplace, ensuring that we are safe whilst at work and not open to unnecessary risk. It is the statute that makes the UK one of the safest places to work in the world – perhaps a fact that we should be more proud of!
In 1974/75 shockingly a total of 651 employees were killed whilst at work – and this figure is without including any self-employed workers. Compare this to today’s figures and it is evident just how far we have come as a country with the dedication of the HSE. In 2013/14 there were a total of 133 deaths at work, but this figure is still too high.
Recent Figures for 2013/14
Yesterday HSE released figures showing the number of workplace deaths and injuries per region for England and Scotland:
- North East – 8 deaths and 3452 injuries
- North West – 15 deaths and 9432 injuries
- East – 11 deaths and 8120 injuries
- Scotland – 20 deaths and 6871 injuries
How can we improve health and safety?
Whilst a lot of work has been done to improve health and safety there are still areas which need attention and continual improvement. HSE’s latest figure show that those working in agriculture, construction, manufacturing and waste and recycling are most at risk from injury. With areas of particular concern for the HSE including working at height, working with poorly maintained and guarded machinery and workplace transport.