2023 HSE data on workplace injuries and ill health with industry response

[edit] HSE annual work-related ill health and injury statistics for 2022/23

Nearly two million workers in Great Britain reported suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on Wednesday 22 November published its its annual statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries. The statistics reveal that 1.8 million workers reported they were suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23, with approximately half of the cases down to stress, depression or anxiety.

In the recent years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of self-reported work-related ill health had been broadly flat, but the current rate is higher than 2018/19. There were an estimated 875,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2022/23. The current rate of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety is higher than the pre-pandemic level. An estimated 35.2 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to self-reported work-related ill health or injury.

HSE’s chief executive Sarah Albon said: “Preventing or tackling work-related stress can provide significant benefits to employees, improving their experience of work and their overall health; and also to employers including increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and reduced staff turnover.”

HSE’s statistics also reveal the impact work-related ill health and workplace injuries are having on Britain’s economic performance. In 2021/22, the estimated annual costs of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health reached £20.7 billion, representing a £1.9 billion increase compared with 2019/20.

The figures also show that 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23, while 561,000 workers sustained a self-reported non-fatal injury in the workplace during the same period.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. hse.gov.uk

This section was issued via Press Release on the HSE website as 'HSE publishes annual work-related ill health and injury statistics for 2022/23' dated November 22, 2023.

[edit] CIOB responds to the latest HSE data on workplace injuries, ill health and fatalities.

CIOB has responded to the latest HSE data on workplace injuries, ill health and fatalities. It sadly shows a rise in construction fatalities. Caroline Gumble, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Building, said:

“While there has clearly been huge progress over the years when it comes to safety in construction, it’s concerning the number of fatalities in the sector has risen sharply by 55 per cent since last year, and is the highest of any industry according to the statistics released by the HSE today. Sadly 45 people in our sector never made it home from work and we owe it to them, their loved ones and their colleagues to continue putting health, safety and well being at the forefront of every project while providing workers with the relevant training, equipment and PPE to safely carry out their jobs. Our current CIOB PPE that fits campaign has safety at its heart and aims to improve the provision of properly fitting PPE for everyone in the sector regardless of their size, gender or religion.

“The HSE data also shows the construction sector remains in the top two for reported workplace non-fatal injuries, closely behind agriculture, and while the risks of working in the industry compared to many other sectors will always be higher, there is clearly more to do when it comes to protecting worker safety. We will continue to do all we can to play our part in keeping this subject high on the industry’s agenda through our training academy and engagement with our members, the wider sector and policy makers.

“It’s not all bad news for construction however and it’s encouraging to see reported instances of work related ill health are lower than the average across all industries. As a sector, a great amount of work has gone into improving worker well being, and while there is always more that can be done, some of that work appears to be paying off.”

Data:

45 fatalities in construction in 2022/2023 compared with 29 in 2021/2022 Statistics - Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain (hse.gov.uk) and HSE Construction e-bulletin: August 2023 (govdelivery.com)

Non-fatal injuries in construction per 100,000 workers = 2,640. All industries average = 1,520 https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/

Work related ill health in construction per 100,000 workers = 3,340. All industries average = 4,150 https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/

This section appears on the CIOB news and blog site as 'CIOB responds to HSE data on workplace injuries and ill health' dated November 22, 2023.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Anti-fatigue mats.
• Automated external defibrillator AED.
• Construction Health and Safety Group CHSG.
• Construction health risks.
• COVID-19 and mental health within construction firms.
• Emergency services.
• Environmental health.
• First aider.
• Health and safety at work etc act 1974.
• Health and Safety Executive.
• Health and safety inspector.
• Keeping your mind on the job.
• Managing stressful issues in construction.
• Notification to HSE.
• Occupational health.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA.
• Public Health Act 1984.
• Safety management.
• Safety tips for construction workers.
• Understanding mental health in the built environment.
• Workplace safety supplies.

[edit] External links

Working Minds – Work Right to keep Britain safe

HSE strategy 2022 to 2032 – About us – HSE

Statistics – About HSE statistics