Fewer workplace deaths welcomed but TUC urges against complacency

date: 3 July 2013

embargo: For immediate release

Welcoming the fall in the number of workplace fatalities last year announced today (Wednesday) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:

'The drop in number of people killed while at work is welcome but any death is one too many and today's figures will be of no comfort to the families of the 148 people who died last year.

'It's also worth remembering that the number of immediate fatalities is less than one per cent of the total number of people who are killed as a result of their jobs - mainly as a result of diseases such as mesothelioma and other cancers.

'Many occupational diseases are still on the increase and much more needs to be done to protect workers from the long-term effects of their work. Every year more than 20,000 people die as a result of ill-health brought on by their working conditions.

'More worryingly, cuts to inspection budgets mean that fewer workplaces will receive a visit from the safety inspector this year. This risks creating an environment where some employers will pay less attention to workplace safety, content in the knowledge that any safety corners cut are unlikely ever to come to light.

'It is also a concern that a third of immediate workplace deaths are among the self-employed. These workers have a fatality rate almost three times higher - 1.1 deaths per 100,000, compared to 0.4 - than other workers.

'This shows the importance of ensuring that everyone at work is properly protected - something that will become much harder if the government gets its way and exempts many of the self-employed from health and safety laws.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- A HSE release about the figures - which cover the period April 2012 to March 2013 - can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/hse-new-fatal-injuries-figures.htm

- The TUC's campaign plan can be downloaded from www.tuc.org.uk/campaignplan

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk