date: 24 June 2009

embargo: For immediate release

TUC welcomes fall in fatality figures but warns against complacency

Commenting on figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today (Wednesday) showing that the number of people killed at work in Britain has fallen to a record low, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'This is indeed good news but we should not be complacent, 180 workers still needlessly lost their lives at work last year. Every death is one too many and can be avoided.

'Nor should these record low figures be seen as evidence that employers are taking more care. Falls in injury and death rates are usual during a recession because fewer new employees are being recruited and introduced into the workplace. Unions will be working with employers to make sure that this downward trend continues when the UK economy emerges from the current downturn.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Provisional data published by the HSE shows that 180 workers were killed between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009 - a rate of 0.6 per 100,000 employees. This is down from 233 in 2007/08 and 17 per cent lower than the previous lowest total of 217, recorded in 2005/6.

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Press release (400 words) issued 24 Jun 2009