The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its annual statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries for 2023/24.
Key Findings:
· Persistent Work-Related Ill Health: Approximately 1.7 million workers reported suffering from work-related ill health, a figure similar to the previous year.
· Stress, Depression, and Anxiety: These conditions remain a significant concern, accounting for nearly half of all self-reported ill health cases.
· Reduced Work-Related Stress: While the rate of stress-related ill health remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, it has decreased from the previous year.
· Economic Impact: Work-related ill health and injuries cost the UK economy an estimated £21.6 billion in 2022/23.
· Workplace Fatalities and Injuries: 138 workers lost their lives in work-related accidents, and 604,000 sustained non-fatal injuries.
HSE’s Commitment to Workplace Safety:
HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon emphasised the importance of continued efforts to improve workplace safety and health. Despite significant progress in recent decades, there is still room for improvement, particularly in preventing falls from height.
FASET’s Perspective:
These statistics are a sobering reminder that workplace safety is a crucial part of the duty of care of all employers. Tragically, of the 138 workplace fatalities in 23/24, 50 were as a result of falls from height, that’s a staggering 36%, making it the single most common cause of death in UK workplaces.
To highlight the risks, obligations and protection employers and employees are advised to take to minimise falls from height in any industry FASET will be running a safety awareness week on LinkedIn (13th-17th January 2025). These posts will summarise latest guidance and signpost readers to further information.
Preventing Falls from Height:
The No Falls Foundation, the UK’s leading charity dedicated to preventing falls from height, highlights the importance of fall prevention measures. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people work at height across various sectors, from construction and
roofing to facilities management. However, falls can also occur in seemingly unrisky environments like shops, offices, factories, and hospitals.
No Falls Week: Taking Action
Mark your calendars! No Falls Week, taking place from 12th to 16th May 2025, is a crucial initiative raising awareness about the dangers of falls from height and how to minimise risks.
What You Can Do:
· Employers can visit the No Falls Foundation website for resources and guidance on fall prevention strategies, training, and equipment.
· Workers can ensure they receive proper training on working at height and always use appropriate safety equipment.
· Everyone can be more mindful of potential fall hazards in their workplaces and environments.
Tony Seddon said: “By working together and prioritising fall prevention, we can significantly reduce the number of deaths and injuries from falls from height. FASET, WAHSA, SAEMA and UKMDA are proud to be supporting No Falls Week . We’re encouraging our network to get involved too and help us shine a spotlight on height safety.”
For the full HSE report: HSE For information and guidance on working at height: www.faset.org.uk
To learn more about the No Falls Foundation and No Falls Week: https://nofallsfoundation.org/
