Lawyer Welcomes Downward Trend In Latest Statistics But Adds More Injuries Could Be Prevented

A leading workplace injury lawyer says the latest statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show more must still be done to protect workers despite a downward trend in the number of people killed or injured at work.

The latest figures for 2012/13 released today (30 October 2013) show that:

• 148 workers were killed at work (down from 171 in 2011/12)
• There were 78,000 other injuries to employees reported to the HSE
• 175,000 were absent for over seven days because of injuries
• 1.1 million working people were suffering from a work-related illness 27 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury

The HSE also estimates that workplace injuries and ill health cost society an estimated £13.8 billion in 2010/11.

Now an expert workplace injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell says the latest figures highlight the importance of protecting workers and points out that as well as applauding the fall in deaths from 171 to 148 year-on-year, we should be looking at what more can be done to bring the statistics down further.

David Urpeth, National head of Workplace Injuries and Illness at Irwin Mitchell, said:

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in accident at work claims.