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The number of people killed at work in Britain last year rose by 16 per cent, prompting renewed calls on the Government to rethink its strategy to reduce health and safety activity and resources.

Provisional figures released by the HSE yesterday (28 June) revealed that 171 workers died in 2010/11 – up from the record low of 147 deaths in 2009/10. The rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers also went up – from 0.5 to 0.6.

The construction industry recorded 50 deaths among its workers – an increase of 22 per cent on last year’s total of 41 fatalities. The fatal-injury rate in the industry was 2.4 deaths per 100,000 workers. In the agriculture sector, which, along with construction, is traditionally the most dangerous in which to work, deaths fell from 39 last year to 34 in 2010/11.

HSE chair Judith Hackitt admitted that the increase was “disappointing” but was keen to emphasise that Britain still has one of the lowest rates of fatal injury anywhere in Europe. 

Calling on all stakeholders to continue to focus on “real risks and not on trivia and pointless paperwork”, she said: “We all have a role to play – employers, employees and regulators – and leadership is fundamental to maintaining and improving our performance even further.”

But the TUC, while agreeing that the responsibility for the rise in fatalities “must be placed at the door of negligent employers”, was adamant that more needs to be done by the Government to ensure workers are protected. Said general secretary, Brendan Barber: “

The Government’s recent decision to reduce workplace inspections, and the budget cuts for both the HSE and local authorities, make it far less likely that problems will be identified before something goes wrong.

“Traditionally, injury rates increase as we come out of a recession. If we are going to stop this year’s increase becoming a long-term trend we need more inspections in the workplace, not fewer.”

His comments were echoed by IOSH, which said that as the economy recovers and industry picks up it is “essential” to maintain inspection levels, increase awareness and ensure access to reliable information and advice.

Head of policy and public affairs Richard Jones commented: “We are disappointed and concerned with the overall increase in fatalities, particularly the growth in the construction and waste and recycling sectors. Cuts mustn’t cost lives and one death is too many.”

The union that represents HSE staff pointed out that the figures were “even more alarming, given that economic output has remained stagnant over the past 12 months”.

Mike Macdonald, negotiator for Prospect, called on the Government to rethink the 35-per-cent cut to the regulator’s budget, saying: “Not only does the HSE’s work save lives and reduce the misery felt by friends and family following the death of a loved one, it saves industry and the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds in lost working days and medical bills.

“Therefore, we have to question how appropriate it is for the Government to make cuts of 35 per cent, which will result in fewer front-line inspections.”

He added that Prospect is particularly concerned by the decision to scale back proactive inspections – something which pressure group the Hazards Campaign also emphasised in its reaction to the latest figures.

The Campaign said: “Nationally, there were 47 deaths in the services sector, 34 in agriculture, and 27 in manufacturing – all sectors that will soon be free of unannounced, proactive inspections that spot hazards before they kill someone, but which [Employment minister] Chris Grayling has scrapped.”

However, the minister countered with the assertion that “the reforms will ensure that action is better targeted on those who irresponsibly put workers and the public at risk”.

The statistics can be viewed on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm