Our HSE Update January explores the focus area from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as they continue to visit workplaces across the UK for spot checks and inspections. We also provide a roundup of prosecutions from the previous month, highlighting the commonly identified issues for employers to avoid.

Annual work-related ill health and injury statistics for 2022/23

The HSE have published their annual statistics on work-related ill health and injuries. 1.8 million workers reported suffering from work-related ill health during this period with nearly half relating to stress, depression or anxiety.

It is estimated that 35.2 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to self-reported work related ill health or injury.

Sadly, 135 workers were reported to have lost their life due a work-related accident and 561,000 workers reported a non-fatal injury in the workplace. Click here to read the full overview from the HSE.

Over £5.9m in fines and 5 workplace fatalities

The HSE issued over £5.9m in fines in December and reported 5 workplace fatalities. The highest fine of £2m was issued to a county council after a worker was killed whilst carrying out repair works on a motorway. The HSE found there was not a suitable and sufficient safety zone between the road works area and the live part of the carriageway. Therefore correct control measures and safe working practises weren’t adhered to.

In another case, 2 companies were fined a combined amount of £1.2m after a worker’s feet were severely crushed whilst working offshore. He had attempted to walk along a gangway during high wind and rough seas. The HSE found that one of the companies failed to take all reasonable and practical steps to reduce the risk of workers getting their feet getting trapped. Further, there were basic errors which persisted over a long time. Regarding the second company, the HSE found the instructions for the gangway were inconsistent and confusing. They highlighted the need to audit and review procedures regularly.

The HSE reported on a number of cases involving falls from a height. This included a case where a company was prosecuted for two separate occasions, totalling a fine of £881k. One worker fractured his pelvis after falling 7 metres through a roof whilst replacing a skylight. In another incident, a worker fell through a skylight falling 20 feet, fracturing his femur. With both of these cases, the HSE found that the same company failed to plan and assess the risk of working from height. In the second case, they had failed to manage and monitor the work of their sub-contractor.

Following these events in our HSE Update January, employers should ask themselves:

  • Are all your risk assessments routinely reviewed?
  • Are they still suitable?
  • Are your employees up to date with all their training needs?

Looking for further support?

We are experts in all areas of health and safety. We can act as your competent person, provide employees retraining and assist with policy and risk assessment reviews. Our expertise include; fire safety, offering an onsite fire risk assessment service along with the provision of fire safety training and E-Learning,

Download a FREE personalised Health and Safety Risk Report to assess the current compliance levels in your organisation here.

For any other health and safety queries, call us today on 0345 076 2288 or submit a question using the form below.