Every year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes its annual statistics regarding the health and safety of employees across Britain. The most recent figures were published in the fourth quarter of 2024 and cover 2023-24. Statistics included in the data describe workplace ill health, workplace injuries and other work-related concerns. Furthermore, incorporated economic cost figures are a stark reminder of the danger of not adhering to HSE regulations. Indeed, failing to address health and safety concerns can result in lost productivity, regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Fortunately, many of the injuries and fatalities that occurred this past year could have been prevented through simple workplace health and safety measures.

Consider the following key statistics from the HSE’s 2023-24 survey:

• 7 million working people suffered from work-related illnesses, of which: 776,000 suffered from stress, depression or anxiety and  543,000 suffered work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
• 138 workers lost their lives in 2023-24.
• 604,000 non-fatal injuries were reported through the Labour Force Survey.
• 7 million working days were lost due to illness and injury.
• £21.6 billion was the estimated annual cost of workplace injury and work-related ill health.

A Growing Concern: Musculoskeletal Disorders

Although the number of work-related ill-health cases fell overall (609,000 new cases in 2023-24 compared to 672,000 new cases in 2022-23), musculoskeletal disorders rose by more than 25%. The main factors causing workplace MSDs were:

• Manual handling
• Working in awkward or tiring positions
• Keyboard or repetitive work

Employers should scrutinise ways to minimise the risk of workers developing musculoskeletal disorders to lessen these exposures.

Company Fined After Worker Breaks Leg

A company has been fined £120,000 after an employee broke his leg while working on the roof of a house. The man, who was 23 at the time, was adjusting a solar panel on a roof when he slid and fell 4 metres. An investigation by the HSE found that the company had failed to properly plan the work at height and had not taken sufficient steps to prevent a fall. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, and it was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,716.

Failure to address health and safety concerns can lead to regulatory fines and lost productivity. However, by keeping abreast of the latest safety statistics and best practices, employers can help safeguard business operations and bolster employee safety. Additionally, robust insurance cover can financially protect organisations from workplace accidents and associated exposures.

For a free review of insurance policies, to ensure that you’re covered for workplace injuries and accidents, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of specialists today. Call us on 0161 928 3991 or complete our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.