HSE statistics reveal ‘very worrying trend’


The latest annual statistics on deaths, injuries and ill-health at work show “a very worrying trend and highlights once again the folly of the government’s Trade Union Bill,” according to TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady. 


After “decades of progress”, the new figures, published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at the end of October, show that the number of workers killed in accidents in British workplaces increased to 142 in 2014-15, from 136 the previous year. 


“Unions play a crucial role in keeping people safe at work but these new reforms will make it much harder for unions to work with employers to identify potential hazards,” said O’Grady. “And allowing untrained temporary workers to cover for experienced staff during strikes could lead to even more accidents at work and put public health at risk.” She added that the figures showed the need for stronger, not weaker, unions.


The new figures show that work is making more than a million people ill and costing society £14.3 billion. Work-related ill health or injury resulted in 27.3 million lost working days, dwarfing the 0.8 million lost through strike action. In addition to those killed, there were 611,000 injuries in the workplace and 1.2 million people suffered from a work-related illness.


The Bill cleared its third reading in the House of Commons last month, but unions will continue to oppose it as it goes through the House of Lords.

https://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/trade-union-bill-could-increase-workplace-injuries-and-fatalities-says-tuc

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2015/work-related-injury-and-ill-health-still-costing-britain-14-billion-per-year/