Our 5 minute 'Turbo Talks' videos feature HSE scientists talking about how science and evidence is being used to help everyone lead safer and healthier lives.

Topics include their work featured in this year's Annual Science Review: 

• Maintaining Great Britain’s record as one of the safest countries to work in
  Delivering forensic incident investigation activities and providing expert evidence used by courts to secure justice

• Reducing work-related ill health
  Evaluation of exposure controls used in electrolytic nickel plating
  
  
• Increasing and maintaining trust to ensure people feel safe where they live, where they work and in their environment
  Monitoring the health of registered pesticide workers and putting residents at the heart of the new Building Safety Regulator

 

Statistics show that 138 workers were killed at work in Great Britain between April 2023 and March 2024.  

The 3 most common causes of fatal injuries were falls from height, being struck by a moving vehicle, and being struck by a moving object. 

A further 87 members of the public were killed following a work-related accident. 

View the work-related fatality statistics for 2023/24.

HSE has also published the annual figures for mesothelioma, a cancer caused by past exposure to asbestos. The figures show 2,257 people died from the disease in 2022.  

A selection of the latest research reports from HSE

RR1200: Evidence on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on work-related musculoskeletal disorders - evidence summary to 29 April 2021

Scientific evidence about COVID-19 was vital to inform decision making during the national response to the pandemic.

This report summarises published scientific evidence about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The findings reinforce existing HSE guidance about homeworking. 

RR1201: Decontamination and re-use of FFP3 respirators 

Disposable filtering facepiece respirators of filtration type 3 (FFP3) are used by healthcare workers in Great Britain to protect themselves from airborne infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic there was an international shortage of respirators.

It was unclear whether disposable respirators that had been worn could be safely and effectively decontaminated and then re-used. This report sought to establish this.

RR1202: Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure during demolition activity 

Demolition workers are exposed to various hazardous substances including RCS. This can cause chronic lung diseases like silicosis and lung cancer.

This report summarises conclusions on effective exposure controls for work tasks observed during site visits. They inform HSE’s position on adequate controls under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) for demolition activities.

RR1205: Reviewing and updating the evidence base on the hazards and risks for musculoskeletal disorder symptoms and visual problems regulated by the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations

Since the DSE Regulations were first introduced, statistical evidence continues to suggest links between DSE work and negative health consequences. However, there have since been major developments and design features of DSE such as screen quality, have improved considerably.

HSE commissioned this research to support a review of the current DSE Regulations.