Record Low For Workplace Deaths

A personal injury lawyer has welcomed new figures which reveal that the number of people killed at work has fallen to the lowest level on record.

However, David Urpeth National Head of Workplace Injuries at Irwin Mitchell warned that the continuing reports of people being injured in accidents which could have been avoided demonstrates there is still work to be done.

According to figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there were 152 fatalities between April 2009 and March 2010, which marks a drop from the figure of 179 recorded in the previous 12 months.

It also revealed that the number of major injuries over the period also fell from 27,894 to 26,061.

Discussing the study, accident at work claims expert David Urpeth said: “It is welcome news that both the number of fatalities and major injuries have dropped.

“I see first-hand the devastation and difficulties caused by avoidable workplace injuries, so this is undoubtedly good news.

"However, we must always remember that each life lost at work is one too many.

“I therefore hope that the HSE is able to help deliver further improvements despite the imminent cuts to its budget, which were recently announced in the government’s spending review. It is vital health and safety continues to rise up the agenda for firms.”