LTB 473/18 – Hazards Campaign Report “The whole story” Published on UK Work-Related Injuries, Illness and Deaths
No. 473/2018
20 August 2018
Our Ref: EX9/18
Hazards Campaign Report “The whole story” Published on UK Work-Related Injuries, Illness and Deaths
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
LTB 413/18 reported on the recently published HSE Annual Workplace Fatal Injuries Statics Report 2017/18 which showed an increase in workplace fatalities to a total of 144.
The LTB also reported that a deeper analysis of statistics by the ‘Hazards Campaign’ concluded that a more accurate and inclusive set of figures would show much higher numbers of work related deaths and diseases.
The Hazards Campaign has this month published a report entitled “The Whole Story” setting out the real statistics on work-related injuries, illness and deaths, without omissions of categories not counted accurately or at all. Hazards state that a more accurate picture shows the details as follows in their report “The Whole Story”:-
- 144 Workers Killed – reported to HSE via RIDDOR
- 50 Workers killed at sea and in the air
- 570 Workers killed in road traffic accidents whilst working
- 600 Suicides due to pressure of work
- 100 Members of the public killed by work activities
- 18,000 Work related cancer deaths
- 20,000 Work related heart disease deaths
- 6,000 Work related respiratory illness deaths
- 6,000 Other work related disease deaths
A total of over 51,000
The report details the problems with the current Health and Safety Executive RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) Reporting system:-
- Massive under-reporting. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates that work injuries are 2.6 times higher than reported.
- 29% less accidents are now reported because of the changes to RIDDOR made by the 2010-2015 Tory/Lib.Dem Government.
- 2017 HSE statistics reported 70,000 non-fatal injuries whereas the Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimated the true figure to be 609,000.
- Only 0.03% of industrial diseases which should be reported under RIDDOR actually are reported according to the former HSE Chief Medical Inspector.
- Employers fail to carry out Health Surveillance.
Hazards also estimate the real cost to society to be between £30 to £60 billion as opposed to the HSE’s estimate of just under £15 billion.
See attached copy of “The Whole Story” for your information.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer