Health and safety statistics 2022 - Fire and Safety Team

The latest statistics on work-related health and safety in Great Britain have been published online today (23 November 2022), including the following key annual figures (2021/22):

1.8 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which
- 914,000 workers suffering work-related stress, depression or anxiety
- 477,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder
- 123,000 workers suffering from COVID-19 which they believe may have been from exposure to coronavirus at work
2,544 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2020)
123 workers killed in work-related accidents
565,000 working people sustained an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey
61,713 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR
36.8 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury

The release provides detailed commentary on these figures and is supported by:

HSE’s Statistics webpages, with a range of information e.g. on different types of work-related ill health and different industry sectors
a comprehensive set of tables, designed to make the data accessible to users
our annual infographic-style summary booklet

For more information:

View our press release, which includes comments from Sarah Albon, HSE Chief Executive.

£18.8 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2019/20)

Call for Safety Focus as Solar Panel Fire Numbers Increase

A renewed emphasis on installation quality, regular maintenance and system inspections is being called for as the number of solar panel fire incidents continues to climb alongside the rapid expansion of renewable energy technology. Fire and safety specialists say that while solar power remains a safe and effective energy source, poorly installed equipment, faulty components

Safety notice: GEC VMX High Voltage Switchgear

HSE has published a safety notice following the failure of a GEC VMX high voltage vacuum circuit breaker, which resulted in electrical arcing and fire within a substation. HSE’s investigation identified partial discharge activity as the most likely cause, with previous warning signs having been detected but not acted upon. The notice applies to GEC

Company and director prosecuted after worker injury

A company and its director have been prosecuted after a worker suffered life-changing injuries during the dismantling of a steel frame structure in Surrey. The incident occurred when a steel beam weighing more than 100kg fell after a ratchet strap, not designed for lifting operations, failed. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hse-network.com] The worker sustained multiple fractures to the

Network Rail fined £1.2m over wall collapse

Network Rail has been fined £1.2 million after a boundary wall at Rugby railway station collapsed and seriously injured 81-year-old Edward Hanlon in September 2022. Investigators found the wall had been omitted from inspection records after boundary changes were incorrectly documented, meaning its deteriorating condition went unnoticed. [orr.gov.uk], [yahoo.com] The incident left Mr Hanlon with