The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today released its annual figures for work-related fatalities, as well as the number of people known to have died from the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, in 2015.

The provisional annual data for work-related fatal accidents revealed that 137 workers were fatally injured between April 2016 and March 2017 (a rate of 0.43 per 100,000 workers), the second lowest year on record.

There has been a long-term downward trend in the number of fatal injuries to workers  they have halved over the last 20 years although in recent years the trend shows signs of levelling.

HSE Chair Martin Temple said:

Every fatality is a tragic event that should not happen. While we are encouraged by this improvement on the previous year, we continue unwaveringly on our mission to prevent injury, death and ill health by protecting people and reducing risks.

The new figures show the rate of fatal injuries in several key industrial sectors:

• 30 fatal injuries to construction workers were recorded. While this accounts for the largest share, this is the lowest number on record for the sector. However, over the last five years the number has fluctuated, The annual average for the past five years is 39. The annual average rate over the last five years in construction is around four times as high as the all industry rate.
• 27 fatal injuries to agricultural workers were recorded. This sector continues to account for a large share of the annual fatality count. It has the highest rate of fatal injury of all the main industry sectors, around 18 times as high as the all industry rate.
• 14 fatal injuries to waste and recycling workers were recorded. Despite being a relatively small sector in terms of employment, the annual average fatal injury rate over the last five years is around 15 times as high as the all industry rate.

The fatalities in the waste and recycling sector in 2016/17 include the single incident at Hawkeswood Metal Recycling Ltd in Birmingham on 7 July 2016 which resulted in five deaths.

Martin Temple continued:

As we approach the one-year anniversary of this incident, our thoughts remain with the families of those who died. We continue to fully support West Midlands Polices investigation.

The new figures also highlight the risks to older workers around a quarter of fatal injuries in 2016/17 were to workers aged 60 or over, even though such workers made up only around 10% of the workforce.

There were also 92 members of the public fatally injured in accidents connected to work in 2016/17. Almost half of these occurred on railways with the remainder occurring across a number of sectors including public services, entertainment and recreation.

Mesothelioma, one of the few work related diseases where deaths can be counted directly, contracted through past exposure to asbestos killed 2,542 in Great Britain in 2015 compared to 2,519 in 2014. The current figures relating to asbestos-related cancer reflect widespread exposures before 1980. Annual deaths are therefore expected to start to reduce after this current decade.

A fuller assessment of work related ill-health and injuries, drawing on HSEs full range of data sources, will be provided as part of the annual Health and Safety Statistics release on 1 November 2017.

The HSE Chair added:

We deal daily with the causes and consequences of work-related deaths, injuries and ill health. Todays updated figures continue to inform our understanding of which areas we need to target.

We concentrate our interventions where we know we can have the biggest impact. We hold dutyholder’s accountable for managing the risks they create in the workplace. This benefits workers, business performance, the economy and wider society alike.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It helps Great Britain work well by applying a broad range of regulatory interventions and scientific expertise, to prevent work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk

2. The average rate of fatal injury over the last five years has been 0.46 per 100, 000 workers. In each of the last five years, the number of fatal injuries has been:

• 2015/16 147 workers died
• 2014/15 142 workers died
• 2013/14 136 workers died
• 2012/13 150 workers died
• 2011/12 171 workers died

3. There were 2542 mesothelioma deaths in 2015, a similar number to the 2519 deaths in 2014. The increase in mesothelioma deaths in recent years has been driven mainly by deaths among those aged 75 and above. Of the deaths in 2015, 407 were among women and 2135 were among men again this ratio is consistent with previous years. The latest projections suggest there will continue to be around 2500 deaths per year for the rest of this current decade before annual numbers begin to decline. The current figures relating to asbestos-related cancer reflect widespread exposures before 1980.

4. The published fatal injury statistics also include a breakdown by country and region. Recent research suggests that variations in fatal injury rates between the countries and regions of Great Britain are largely explained by differences in the industry composition of the workforce between the countries and regions.

5. Britain has consistently had one of the lowest rates of fatal injuries to workers. In 2014, Britain had the lowest rate compared to other leading industrial nations in Europe Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Poland http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/pdf/fatalinjuries.pdf ^[

6. The reporting of health and safety incidents at work is a statutory requirement, set out under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). A reportable incident includes: a death or specified injury; any accident which does not result in a specified injury, but the injured person still has to take seven or more days off their normal work to recover; a work related disease; a member of the public being injured as a result of work related activity and taken to hospital for treatment; or a dangerous occurrence, which does not result in a serious injury, but could have done.

7. The fatal injury figures do not include fatal accidents on non-rail transport systems or work-related deaths from fatal diseases.

8. Further information on these statistics can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics

A London based roofing company has been fined after a 56-year old worker fell through two storeys onto a concrete floor.

Southwark Crown Court heard how 56-year old Ali Mucoj, while working for Wessexmoor Ltd, had been completing roof work at a site on Glycena Road in London, when he fell from an unguarded rear roof and suffered multiple injuries including internal bleeding on the brain and a broken left leg.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Wessexmoor Ltd failed to implement the required safety measures to ensure the roof work was conducted in a safe manner. It was found the roof in question had no edge protection or guardrails in place to prevent falls from height.

Wessesxmoor Ltd of Baring Road, Grove Park, London pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6 (3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

The company has today been fined £160,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,580.85.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Gavin Pugh said: “Mr Mucoj suffered life changing injuries as a result of Wessexmoor’s safety failings.

“Duty holders must ensure all work at height is properly planned and all necessary equipment is put in place to ensure workers safety.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. hse.gov.uk^{[1][1 [1]]}
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: legislation.gov.uk/ ^[2][2][2]
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk^[3]
4. Roof Repair Work: What you need to know as a busy builder can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis60.pdf

Plymouth Magistrates Court heard that on 21 October 2013 Mr Keith Stevens, aged 57, was helping to dismantle temporary roofing at Devonport Naval Base using a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP). His colleagues found him trapped between a roof beam and the controls of the MEWP. There was a delay in Mr Stevens being lowered to ground.  Mr Stevens died of a pre-existing heart condition.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Pyeroy had not properly planned the work on a MEWP in restricted overhead areas. It was also found that other Pyeroy employees had not received suitable training in the emergency lowering procedure of the elevated platforms and no practice drills had been carried out.

Pyeroy Ltd of St Omers Road, Western Riverside Route, Gateshead has pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company has today been fined £130,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,388.36.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Helena Allum said: “If Pyeroy had trained other employees to use the mobile elevated work platform in emergency situations, Mr Stevens would have been lowered to the ground more swiftly.”

“This case highlights the need for duty holders to properly plan all work at height beforehand, including emergency planning and rescue situations.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/ 
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk^[3]

A roofing company has today been sentenced for safety failings related to working at height.

Brighton Magistrates Court heard how numerous concerns were raised by members of the public about work being carried out by G & S Roofing Limited.  The company twice ignored written advice to address the issue of working at height in an unsafe manner.

In August 2016, a further concern was raised by a member of the public who contacted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after seeing more evidence of operatives hired by G & S Roofing working unsafely from height. Inspectors then visited the site.

The HSE investigation found one of the operatives to be working on the flashings of a chimney from a ladder resting on the pitch of the roof at the unguarded gable end of the two storey house. There was nothing at the gable end of the roof to prevent a person falling. There were no suitable measures in place to prevent a person falling from the gable end, a fall which could have caused personal injury. A prohibition was served but the company took no action to rectify the dangerous working conditions.

G & S Roofing Ltd of Pembroke Lodge, 3 Pembroke Road, Ruslip was found guilty in its absence to breaching Regulations 4(1)(a) and  4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 by virtue of Regulation 3(b). The company was today fined a total of £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,574.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Rebekah Dunn said: “The dangers associated with working at height are well-known and G & S Roofing had a duty to protect all operatives from the risk of falling from height. Despite repeated advice, the company failed to put in adequate precautionary measures.

“It is vital for duty-holders to ensure that all issues related to health and safety are suitably addressed, particularly when the issues are highlighted.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. hse.gov.uk^[1][1]

2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: legislation.gov.uk/  ^[2][2]

3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

Pipework Engineering Services Limited (PESL) has been fined after a worker suffered life changing injuries as a result of a crush incident.

Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard that on 21 March 2016 the worker was operating a foot pedal saw when he came into contact with the rotating blade.

The 35-year old severed his hand and wrist, which required surgical intervention to reattach.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found PESL failed to install the machine correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, meaning that it could be operated from a position that took the operator very close to the saw’s moving blade.

Pipework Engineering Services Limited of Emily Street, Highgate, Birmingham today pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 17 (2) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment 1998, has been fined £24,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2087.16.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Principal Inspector Geoffrey Brown said: “The company failed to ensure the machinery was set up in a safe manner and as a result the worker suffered life changing injuries.

“To prevent future, similar accidents it is essential that duty holders install and set up machines correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk^[1]
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/ ^[2]
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

Two companies have been fined after a worker was seriously injured by a trolley carrying hydraulic rams.

Stafford Crown Court heard how an employee of DHL Services Limited (DHL) was auditing in-coming deliveries of equipment in an outside yard at JCB World Headquarters when he was struck from behind by falling machinery.  At the time of the incident the machinery was being towed by an electric tug and weighed approximately 770kg.

The trolley toppled on its side trapping the DHL employee between it and a stillage. He suffered multiple serious injuries including fractures and internal injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on 16 October 2013 found there were a number of safety failures related to this auditing activity and the segregation between employees and vehicles using this area, leading to an unsafe system of work.

In addition to the injured worker, the investigation also identified that employees of JC Bamford Excavators Ltd accessed this area as pedestrians when vehicles were operating.

DHL Services Limited, of Midsummer Boulevard, Central, Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £266,000 and ordered to pay costs of £23,370.22.

J C Bamford Excavators Limited, of Lakeside Works, Rocester, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £375,000 and ordered to pay costs of £37,235.42.

HSE Inspector David Brassington said after the hearing: “The dangers of failing to provide effective segregation between pedestrians and vehicles are well known. Both of these companies were well versed in transport risk management and both fell well below the required standard in ensuring that such risks were effectively managed in this area.”

“These failings allowed a pedestrian worker into a busy area where vehicles were coming and going and as a result the worker sustained serious injuries from which he has still not recovered.”

For further information on workplace transport visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/index.htm^[1]

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk^[2]

1. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/ ^[3]  and guidance at

1. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

A North West food firm has been fined after a worker died when plastic bales fell on top of him.

On 4 February 2015, 29 year old father of one Jacek Adamowicz was cleaning a storage yard when a number of plastic bales weighing 703kg fell towards him trapping him against the ground.

Manchester Crown Court heard today that Hitchen Foods, owned by the Bakkavor Group, had failed to consider and properly plan the stacking and storage of the bales.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there was unsafe stacking of bales of plastic. Bakkavor Foods Limited had failed to implement properly planned safe systems of work for their employees who were exposed during the stacking of the bales. There was also no formal training in stacking bales and lack of monitoring in the bale area.

Bakkavor Foods Limited Foods of Dobson Park Way, Wigan plead guilty to breaches of Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work at 1974 and was fined £2million with £32,595.10 costs.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Ian Betley said: “Bakkavor Foods Limited fell far short of the required standard expected. Not only should proper planning have been carried out in relation to the storage and stacking of waste bales, but also a system of work subsequently put in place to mitigate those risks. The company failed on both of these counts with devastating consequences.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk^[1]
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/ ^[2]
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

SCLA Limited has been fined after a worker suffered life changing hand injuries while operating machinery.

Westminster Magistrates Court heard how on 17 December 2015 the worker was working to clear a blockage on one of the noodle production lines when his index and middle fingers on his right hand were severed by the machine.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found a number of failings. A risk assessment was in place but was unsuitable and the company failed to ensure that the guards on the machine being used provided the necessary protection for the operators.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, were fined £30,000 and ordered to pay full costs.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Nick Wright said: “The consequences of not guarding dangerous machinery are often catastrophic and life changing. This case demonstrates a straightforward, systematic approach to assessing machinery and ensuring that it is adequately guarded can play a significant part in reducing the risk of injury.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk^[1]
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/ ^[2]
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk