The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging businesses to make the safety of workers their top priority in 2014.
The call came as the most recent provisional figures, published on 30 December, showed that the number of deaths across Great Britain fell in 2012-13, with 148 people killed at work compared to 171 deaths during 2011-12.
More than 20,600 workers suffered a major injury in 2012-13, representing a 10.8 per cent drop on the previous year.
High risk industries in 2012-13 included construction, in which 39 people died last year, agriculture with 29 deaths, manufacturing with 20 deaths and waste and recycling with ten deaths.
Steve Smith, the HSE’s head of operations for the North East, where two people lost their lives at work in 2012-13, said: “Whilst the number of workplace deaths and major injuries has decreased nationally, these statistics highlight why we still need good health and safety in workplaces.
“It’s important to remember that while we still have one of the lowest rates of workplace deaths in Europe, one death is still one too many. I would urge businesses to focus on helping to cut the number of deaths further in 2014.”
Injuries do not just happen in high-risk industries and all employers must ensure that they take measures to keep workers safe. Palmers’ health and safety specialists can provide comprehensive advice to help employers maintain the health and well-being of employees, customers, suppliers and other visitors, such as carrying out workplace risk assessments and advising on action to be taken.
For more information, please visit our website or contact Lara Murray or Jeremy Sirrell.