Loved Ones Mourned On Workers’ Memorial Day 2015

Specialist workplace injury and illness lawyers say employers must make safety a priority to cut the number of deaths at work as many families remember their loved ones on Workers Memorial Day (28 April).

The latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics reveal that 133 people were killed at work in 2013/14, with the construction, agriculture, and waste and recycling industries seeing the highest rates. A further 13,000 people are estimated to die each year from occupational lung diseases and cancers caused by past exposure to chemicals, asbestos and dust at work.

Workers’ Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have died as a result of their employment and also to continue the fight for the living, through improved health and safety in the workplace and better protection for employees.

Expert Opinion

"Time and time again we are approached by people whose lives have been shattered following the death of a loved one at work, or as a result of a disease caused by their exposure to a variety of chemicals or harmful materials at work.

"Thousands of people are losing their lives every year in the UK as a result of industrial accidents and work-related illnesses, which is completely unacceptable. Many of these accidents and illnesses could and should have been prevented and are often the result of basic health and safety failings.

"On Workers’ Memorial Day we must remember those people who have sadly lost their lives and also take action to fight for the living and ensure these errors are corrected and workers are offered greater levels of protection.

"Health and safety at work is a very serious issue and we need to move away from the culture of undermining good health and safety practices, often seen in irresponsible reporting and scaremongering about 'health and safety gone mad'.

"The fact of the matter is that a responsible approach to these regulations promotes the wellbeing of employees and is good for businesses. Risks at work should be confronted head on with practical solutions and not swept under the carpet.

"We have repeatedly called for improvements to safety standards in the workplace and will continue to do so until companies stop putting the lives of employees at risk." Stephen Nye - Partner