Fewer fatal injuries
August 31st 2006

The Health and Safety Commission has published the annual workplace fatal injury statistics for 2005/2006 which show that 212 people were fatally injured. This is a reduction from 223 in 2004/2005 and the lowest recorded fatal injury figure.

In construction, there were 59 deaths to workers compared to 69 in the previous year, a reduction of 14%. The rate of fatal injury to construction workers fell by a similar proportion to 3 per 100 000 workers, from 3.5, continuing the downward trend of recent years.

In manufacturing, however, the number of fatal injuries increased from 43 to 45. The injury rate has fluctuated in recent years, with no overall trend.

Falls from height remain the most common cause of fatal injury, with 46 workers being killed following a fall compared to 53 workers killed in 2004/2005. The HSE has recently run a campaign warning of the dangers of working at height in a bid to further raise awareness of the dangers and reduce this figure still further.

Bill Callaghan, chair of HSC comments "These figures are very encouraging but more needs to be done. There are still too many people killed at work every year, and quite often simple, inexpensive measures could have prevented the tragic loss of life.

"The figures show that the Commission's strategy is working. This is based on enforcement, information and advice, regulation and persuasion and working in partnership with industry and trade unions.

"The construction industry is an example where all parties have worked closely together over a number of years and achieved impressive results."

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