Latest figures on deaths at work confirm the workplace remains a major killer. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) annual statistics on deaths in Great Britain resulting from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma and from fatalities at work show an overall increase on the previous year. Fatalities dropped from 147 in 2015/16 to a provisional figure of 137 in 2016/17, the second lowest level on record. 

However, the figures for mesothelioma deaths showed an increase from 2,519 in 2014 to 2,542 in 2015 – the most recent data available. 

There was a record low 30 construction deaths in 2016/17, but the sector’s death rate is still around four times the all-industry average. 

Agriculture saw 27 fatal injuries recorded, the same as the previous year. This sector has the highest rate of fatal injury of all the main industry sectors, around 18 times as high as the all industry rate. There were 14 fatal injuries to waste and recycling workers recorded. Despite being a relatively small sector in terms of employment, the annual average fatal injury rate over the last five years is around 15 times as high as the all industry rate. 

HSE’s headline fatality figure does not include the 92 members of the public fatally injured in incidents connected to work in 2016/17.

HSE chair Martin Temple said: “Every fatality is a tragic event that should not happen. While we are encouraged by this improvement on the previous year, we continue unwaveringly on our mission to prevent injury, death and ill-health by protecting people and reducing risks.” 

An estimated 100 people die of occupational diseases for every one killed in an occupational fatality. HSE estimates, for example, there is one asbestos-related lung cancer death for each mesothelioma death, showing the annual asbestos toll exceeds 5,000 deaths, with an anticipated decline yet to materialise. HSE’s estimate is widely believed to be conservative.