Workplace Injury Numbers Decreasing

Fewer people across London are being seriously or fatally injured through their work, according to figures released today by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

There were 2,433 serious workplace injuries recorded in the region last year compared to 2,690 in 2008/9 and 11 deaths - eight fewer than the previous year.

The estimated number of people suffering from work-related illnesses rose by 17,000 from 121,000 in 2008/09 to 138,000 last year.

Stephen Williams, Divisional Director for London, said: “This is once again a step in the right direction. However, these figures show that there are still many cases where the health and safety of workers is not being taken seriously. It is particularly disappointing that work related ill-health has increased.

“It is not trivia. Employers have a legal duty to protect their employees. Health and safety needs to be at the very heart of the business and not seen as an add-on, tick-box exercise at best or an unnecessary burden at worst.

“Last year in London we secured convictions for more than 50 breaches of health and safety law by companies and individuals. We will continue to target those who fail to meet the standards that workers have a right to expect.”

HSE continues to take a tough line with firms in London who put workers at risk by breaking safety legislation. It brought 105 offences to court in 2009/10, 58 of which led to conviction.

Across England, Scotland and Wales, 28.5 million working days (equivalent to 1.2 days per worker) were lost to injury and ill health last year - compared with 29.3 million in 2008/09. That figure stands at 2.3 million in London for 2009/10, an average of 0.73 days per worker.

National workplace fatal injuries fell from 179 in 2008/09 to a record low of 152 in 2009/10, and there was a reduction of more than 11,000 in the number of workplace injuries classified as serious or incurring more than three days absence from work.

Comparison with international data still shows Britain to be one of the safest places to work in the EU.

(BMcN/GK)