The top three fatal workplace safety hazards in 2022 revealed

By Focus on Testing

31 Aug 2023

umit-yildirim-Ass0DusYDk4-unsplash (1).jpg.jpg

Alarming figures show that 135 workers died in work-related incidents over the last year in the UK.  

Imagine John, a dedicated construction worker with a wife and two kids at home.

One day, while working on a high-rise building, he slips off the scaffolding. His safety harness, which hadn't been appropriately inspected, fails. 

His co-workers watch in horror as he falls to the ground. This tragedy, like 135 others in the UK last year, should have been preventable.

Are you ignoring your workplace safety obligations?

With unsettling statistics surrounding work-related fatalities in Great Britain over the last year - it’s worth asking whether you’re protecting your workforce from the most common causes of workplace fatalities.

Or are you simply crossing your fingers and hoping that you’ll get lucky?

In the pursuit of profits and productivity, safety can often take the back seat for businesses. 

You’re busy. We get it. 

But when you remember that behind each statistic was a person with family, friends and dreams - burying your head in the sand becomes difficult.

As well as this, from a purely financial standpoint, last year, there were an astounding 36.8 million working days lost due to work-related ill health and non-fatal workplace injuries. 

So, can you still afford to take this shortcut? Probably not.

The most common causes of workplace fatalities

Let’s take a look at the three most common causes of workplace fatalities in 2022 / 23, according to new data from the HSE.

  1. Falls from heights
    40 people died by falling from heights whilst at work last year. This makes it the most common cause of fatalities in the workplace for yet another year. 
  2. Being struck by a moving object
    The second-highest number of workplace deaths was caused by being struck by a moving object. This resulted in 29 people losing their lives due to accidents at work last year. 
  3. Being struck by a moving vehicle
    Finally, 20 lives were lost due to being struck by a moving vehicle, making it the third most common cause of workplace fatal injuries last year. 

The industries with the highest death rates

Whilst accidents can occur in any workplace, certain industries are more prone to specific hazards due to the nature of the work involved.

Factors such as the working environment, the type of machinery or substances used, the intensity of the labour, and the different safety measures in place can create varying levels of risk.

The new data from the HSE show that workplace fatalities are most common in the following industries: 

  • Construction - 45 deaths
  • Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing - 21 deaths
  • Manufacturing - 15 deaths
  • Transportation and Storage - 15 deaths

Workplace safety: Long-term hazards - Asbestos

But although immediate hazards like falls and moving objects account for most workplace fatalities, there are also long-term risks that you shouldn’t ignore. 

One of the most insidious and dangerous of these is exposure to asbestos, a material that has left a troubling legacy in many industries.

The HSE has released crucial data on Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by previous exposure to asbestos:

In 2021, 2,268 people died from the disease. This is a fall of 302 compared with the 2,570 deaths in 2020 and substantially lower than the average of 2,520 deaths per year between 2012 and 2019. However, these are still devastating figures nonetheless. Additionally, they serve as a stark reminder of the importance of an ongoing workplace safety culture and Asbestos Sampling.

If you’re unsure whether your workplace contains asbestos, find out how we can help you here.

What is the long-term solution?

While immediate measures are necessary to tackle urgent safety concerns, long-term safety in the workplace needs to be addressed through a structured, comprehensive approach.

The best way to do this? By having regular Commercial Health and Safety Risk Assessments.

What are Commercial Health and Safety Risk Assessments?

Stick with us here. They might sound boring, but we're here to make them easy for you.

Commercial Health and Safety Risk Assessment systematically examine your workplace for potential hazards and risks.

These assessments are not a one-time event. Instead, they should be part of your ongoing safety efforts and regularly updated and reviewed to ensure they remain relevant to your business.

And yes, they are tedious, but they’re a legal requirement. So there’s no getting out of them. Failure to carry out and record the results of your assessments can result in hefty fines and investigations from the HSE. 

Workplace safety is critical…

The truth is that workplace safety isn’t a static goal but an ongoing commitment. It isn’t just about ticking boxes or avoiding penalties. It’s about valuing human lives and recognising the lasting impact safety has on employee well-being and the success of your businesses.

The role of workplace safety measures has never been more urgent. And that's where we can help you.

Whether you need a hand uncovering hidden electrical issues, assessing fire risks, or conducting thorough surveys for asbestos - the Focus On Testing team is on hand to offer a strategic approach to a safe working environment.

Curious about how we can help your business get up to scratch? Give us a call on 0330 088 4597.

Latest news

1

fulfilmentcrowd ships 200,000 items on Black Friday Fulfilmentcrowd Black Friday

fulfilmentcrowd ships 200,000 items on Black Friday

01 Dec 2023

2

Blackpool's civil service hub hits construction milestone Civil Service Hub Construction

Blackpool's civil service hub hits construction milestone

30 Nov 2023

3

Don't judge, not everybody's got a great brand, ok? Laura Weldon Studio LWD

Don't judge, not everybody's got a great brand, ok?

27 Nov 2023

4

Glitz, glamour and generosity see Rainbow Hub ball raise £70,000 Rainbow Hub Ball 2023.jpg.jpg

Glitz, glamour and generosity see Rainbow Hub ball raise £70,000

01 Dec 2023

5

Lancashire/Morecambe Hotspots: Give and tech Leighton Hall

Lancashire/Morecambe Hotspots: Give and tech

01 Dec 2023

2664LBD980x120gif
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Reach 50,000 members of the Lancashire business community

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Company profile
Social reach
Magazine coverage
Sign-up
Events
Help to Grow Management Course
Collaboration v3.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
31 Oct 2023 - 14 Feb 2024

Help to Grow Management Course

University of Central Lancashire, School, Online and face-to-face , UCLan, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 11:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Dec 2023

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Hotel, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista
EVENT LISTING Networking In Halifax (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Dec 2023

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista

Hampton by Hilton, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:45 - 08:30

Using your existing Pension to invest in Commercial property
Chris Montgomery SmgTvepind4 Unsplash
LBV Hub Webinar
05 Dec 2023

Using your existing Pension to invest in Commercial property

Zoom, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 09:45

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
06 Dec 2023

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

Twas the night before ransomware
Event Graphic 3.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
07 Dec 2023 - 07 Dec 2023

Twas the night before ransomware

The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ

14:00 - 17:00

Discover the power of BNI - Business Networking in Preston
Preston.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
07 Dec 2023

Discover the power of BNI - Business Networking in Preston

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Samlesbury, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
07 Dec 2023

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
08 Dec 2023

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Hotel, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
13 Dec 2023

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

Discover the power of BNI ONLINE - Business Networking in Lancashire
Preston.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
14 Dec 2023

Discover the power of BNI ONLINE - Business Networking in Lancashire

Online Meeting, -, -

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Dec 2023

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Hotel, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV Advertising Visual NovDec
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin