HSE statistics on work-related deaths mask true picture

In practice, the HSE statistics on work-related deaths under-represent the true picture of work-related deaths.

The HSE finalised statistics for 2012-13 — 150 workers fatally injured, equivalent to a rate of fatal injury of 0.51 per 100,000 workers, is the figure the government relies on to sustain its argument that Britain’s workplaces are becoming safer and that consequently, less regulation is needed.

But this figure is badly distorted for a number of reasons. In particular, it only includes deaths that happen relatively quickly, as a result of sudden injury. It excludes many thousands of people who die from diseases caused or exacerbated by work, such as work-related cancers or mesothelioma, or from an injury that leads to a later death. The TUC describes occupational disease as a “time bomb” which kills at least 100 times the number killed in workplace “accidents”.

They also exclude all work-related road traffic incidents, and all deaths reported to other authorities apart from the HSE, as well as suicides as a result of work-related depression. There is also significant under-reporting of accidents to the regulator.

Estimate of deaths by work-related illness

Hilda Palmer of the Hazards campaign has compiled the following approximate estimates of the number of individuals killed by work-related illness and injury each year:

• 18,000 deaths from work-related cancer, estimated at 12% of all cancers (range 8%-16%) due to work, including at least 5,000 deaths from asbestos related cancers;

• up to 20,000 deaths from heart disease — 20% of deaths work-related due to dust, stress, long hours and shift work;

• approximately 6,000 deaths from respiratory illness — 15%-20% of obstructive lung disease is work-related;

• approximately 6,000 deaths from other work-related diseases, for example neurological diseases

This gives a total of up to 50,000 deaths from occupational disease each year. The TUC uses a minimum estimate of 20,000 deaths.

Estimate of deaths from work-related injury

The Hazards Campaign estimates that nationally during 2012-2013, between 1,046-1,488 people were killed in work-related incidents, including:

• 148 workers whose deaths were reported to the HSE and local authority under RIDDOR;

• 113 members of the public killed by work activity;

• 50 workers killed at sea and in the air (estimated);

• approximately 585-587 killed in work-related road traffic accidents; and

• 150-300 suicides due to pressure of work (suicides are up 10% on 2012-13).