The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal 123 people were killed in accidents at work in the UK last year.
Most deaths, around a quarter, were in the construction industry followed by the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, and then manufacturing.
The most dangerous sector to work in, based on the most fatal injuries per 100,000 workers continues to be agriculture, forestry and fishing, where deaths are 21 times higher than average.
The waste and recycling sector also had a high fatality rate over the last year, 11 times higher than average.
The rate of fatal injury in construction, while still around four times higher than the average rate across all industries, is considerably less.
As injury at work solicitors who have represented many clients pursuing farm accident claims and building site injury claims I know more must be done to improve safety and reduce accidents at work. In my experience many of those accidents could have been avoided.
Farm and agricultural managers and the construction industry need to better understand their legal responsibilities; and stop avoiding shortcuts in safe working practices and stop turning a blind eye when regulations are not being enforced.
Fatalities at Work by Industry:
- Construction – 30 deaths
- Agriculture Forestry & Fishing 22
- Manufacturing 22
- Transport & Storage 16
- Admin and Support services 12
Read more: Building Site Injury Claims
Fatal injuries predominately affect men and 24% of deaths were of workers aged 60 and over, even though this age group only makes up 11% of the workforce.
The most common kind of fatal accidents at work continued to be falls from heights, being struck by moving vehicle or being struck by moving or falling object.
If a family member has suffered a fatal accident at work, it is important to instruct a personal injury solicitor that has specialist knowledge of fatal accident claims, whilst also handling your claim with compassion and sensitivity.
I, along with the Serious Injury team at Hudgell Solicitors, have handled a high number of fatal accident claims and we promise to look after you throughout the whole process.
Read more: Serious Injury Compensation Claims
The most common fatal workplace accidents:
- Falls from height – 29 deaths
- Struck by moving vehicle 23
- Struck by moving object 18
- Contact with moving machinery 15
- Trapped by something collapsing / overturning 14
Read more: Farm Accident Compensation Claims
Recently, one of our clients broke both his heels when he fell from a ladder.
The roofer from Hull was awarded a “significant damages settlement” after being left needing crutches to walk.
As part of his accidents at work compensation claim led on his behalf by Hudgell Solicitors, it was alleged he had been put at risk by inadequate safety standards on the work site.
Read more: Substantial damages for roofer left unable to work
Accidents at Work Involving Falls from Height
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known,” says the HSE.
The HSE is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety and this year it has successfully prosecuted several companies where staff have fallen, and either been severely injured or died. They include:
- Manufacturing Company fined £270,000 after fatality involving elevating work platform. A Lincolnshire firm, which specialises in lifting and handling equipment, was prosecuted after an employee died after falling with a work platform onto the M25 motorway. The platform was extended to an unsafe angle and a HSE investigation found the device had become unsafe and tipped over. Genie UK Limited of Grantham, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Glass company fined £80,000 after worker injured in fall from height. NSG Pilkington (UK) was fined after a worker fell through a roof. He sustained life changing injuries and was unable to return to his job, forcing him to retire early. A HSE investigation found the Lancashire firm did not provide a safe system of work for working at height.
Read more: What are my rights after an accident at work?
Areas of UK with highest fatalities at work:
- South West – 18 deaths
- Scotland 15
- London 15
- North West 15
- South East 14
- East of England 12
- Yorkshire & The Humber 8
- West Midlands 9
- East Midlands 8
- Wales 6
Read more: Spinal Injury Claims
Accident and Injury at Work Compensation Claims
Another of our clients, a young man who suffered a serious leg break in a work accident on a farm was awarded £500,000 damages and provided with a long-term rehabilitation support package to help him rebuild his life.
The leg break was so bad that the victim was informed 16 months later that the fracture had not reunited and had become infected.
The injury at work compensation reflected the huge impact the accident had on life.
The victim, who was 17 at the time of the accident, suffered an open tibial fracture when his right leg became trapped under a steel beam.
Read more: £500,000 compensation and ‘crucial rehabilitation support’ for farm worker
An accident or injury in the workplace could be anything where you’ve suffered physically at work. You may have fallen or slipped or suffered an injury from falling debris, or sustained a back injury at work through manual handling that could have been avoided.
Whether you’ve had a major or minor accident at work, claiming compensation for a work-related injury can help you get your life back on track by reimbursing you for lost earnings and expenses because of your injury.
