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Annual health and safety statistics published

Earlier this week, HSE published the latest annual health and safety statistics for Great Britain (2022 to 2023).

The annual report found that 1.8 million working people are suffering from work-related ill health and 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents during this time period. 

 

In total, 35.2 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury.

 

HSE's statistics website provides detailed commentary on these figures and is supported by:

• a comprehensive set of tables, designed to make the data accessible to users
• our annual, infographic-style summary booklet (.pdf)

For more information, you can read our press release, which includes comments from Sarah Albon, HSE Chief Executive.

Manufacturing firm fined £500,000 after forklift truck death

The company has been fined after a worker was killed when the forklift truck he was operating overturned at a depot.

HSE's investigation found that the company:

• had failed to enforce the use of seatbelts by forklift truck operators
• should have properly risk assessed the use of forklift trucks on their premises and enforced the use of seatbelts

Read this press release for further details on the incident.

 

HSE has guidance available on managing forklift trucks.

 

Other recent prosecution cases include:

• Shopping trolley manufacturer fined £320,000 after workers fall from height

• Healthcare company fined £140,000 following patient death

Lung Cancer Awareness Month highlights fatal risks

Every year around 12,000 people die from work-related lung diseases, including lung cancer. 

Employers have a legal responsibility to protect their workers from ill health and these deaths are preventable if exposure to the risks is effectively controlled. 

 

Workers need to be aware that certain work activities, such as exposure to dust, mild steel welding fume and respirable crystalline silica (RCS), can cause lung cancer and other serious respiratory diseases.

 

Get more information on the HSE website about preventing work-related lung disease, as well as guidance for a range of different workplaces. Sectors featured include:

• construction
• woodworking
• waste management

HSE – market surveillance authority for workplace products

HSE is one of the UK's market surveillance authorities, which monitor and enforce legal requirements on the safety of most products used in the workplace, including any risks to health. 

HSE has a duty to notify the Secretary of State about unsafe or non-compliant products and of the measures taken and communicated by an economic operator.  

 

Products that present a serious or high risk to the health and safety of the user, and products that have been recalled, are published on GOV.UK.  

 

Recent examples of products notified are: 

• BendPak XPR-9 Series Two-Post Lifts
• Xline Systems - Diesel Van-Mounted Hot Water System (5.5 and 9.0 kW models)
• LPG 2 and 3 Pan Plus Scuttle Fish and Chip Fryer Range (sold via eBay)
• Axminster AT200SM Spindle Moulder

Latest job vacancies at HSE

We currently have a variety of exciting opportunities to join the team here at HSE and help to save lives.

Find out more and apply:

• Policy Advisor
  closes 8 December; 2 roles available
  
  
• Engagement and Regulatory Policy Professional
  closes 11 December
  
  
• Mechanical Engineer/Scientist
  closes 11 December

Visit our website for further information and more vacancies.