HSE accident and work-related illness statistics for 2020 published

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has recently published its accident and work-related illness statistics in Great Britain for the year 2019-20.

Perhaps unsurprisingly with so many employees not travelling to their usual place of work in 2020, the number of fatalities and RIDDOR reportable injuries reduced vs. 2018/2019.

Some of the headline figures from the 2019/2020 report are:

• 111 workers killed at work.
• 65,427 RIDDOR reportable employee injuries.
• 1.6 million working people suffered from a work-related illness.
• 38.8 million lost working days due to work-related injury or illness.

The number of fatalities reduced from 147 in 2018-19, with the number of RIDDOR reportable employee injuries reducing by almost 4,000 from a total of 69,208 in the previous year.

Although the statistics show a reduction in the total number of fatalities and RIDDOR reportable injuries, there were also some concerning upward trends in the mental wellbeing of employees. In this most recent report, there were over 630,000 newly reported cases of work-related illness. This compared with just under 500,000 which represents an increase of +26% year on year. Most notably, of these newly reported cases, 55% (347,000) related to work-related stress, anxiety and depression.

Simon Stafford from Griffiths & Armours Risk Management team commented;

“Whilst 2021 is giving us all very good reason to approach the year with cautious optimism, it is important to appreciate that the likely impact of Covid-19 on mental wellbeing in the workforce will be experienced far beyond the vaccine roll out, and any phased return to the workplace. The numbers of employees suffering from work-related stress, anxiety and depression will continue to increase and have an impact on businesses and organisations. Taking a proactive approach and closely monitoring your employees’ wellbeing throughout the year should be an integral part of your wider Health and Safety strategy. This will be more important than ever as we navigate through the challenges ahead”.

The team at Griffiths & Armour continues to be available to offer practical advice and guidance to our clients, including further guidance on staff wellbeing which is available by contacting your main point of contact or via Griffiths & Armour’s online risk management portal, RMworks. If you have any questions on this article, please contact Simon Stafford (below) or your Griffiths & Armour broker who will be able to assist you.