Figures published today (30 October) by the Heath & Safety Executive (HSE) show an 11% drop in major injuries at work in 2012/13 compared with the previous year.

The figures show that between April 2012 and March 2013:

• 19,707 major injuries (such as amputations, fractures and burns) to employees were reported (a rate of 78.5 injuries per 100,000 employees), compared with 22,094 in 2011/12 (a rate of 88.5 per 100,000 employees)
• 148 workers fatally injured – down from 171 the previous year. The average for the past five years was 181.
• Workplace injuries and ill-health (excluding work-related cancer) cost society an estimated £13.8billion in 2010/11 compared with £16.3billion in 2006/07 (after removing the effects of inflation).

Chair of HSE, Judith Hackitt, says: “This year’s figures demonstrate that Britain continues to improve its health & safety performance with important falls in the number of workers fatally injured and the number of employees suffering major injuries.

“But we still see too many deaths and injuries occur in the workplace, many of which could have been prevented through simple safety measures. Getting this right is the key to ensuring that everyone can make it home safely at the end of their working day.

“As the economy grows, new and inexperienced additions to the workforce can increase in the risk of injuries to workers. We’re committed to helping employers understand that health & safety is about sensibly and proportionately managing risks and ensuring people understand the risks involved, not creating unnecessary paperwork.”

Unfortunately, those industries that put employees at the greatest risk – led by construction – have seen the least improvement in the figures. Construction saw 156 major injuries per 100,000 employees durig the year.

Watch an HSE video about the consequences of workplace injuries below.