Work-related fatalities down

Fewer people died from work-related injuries in 2007/08 than in 2006/07, new figures have shown.

According to research by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 228 workers died in workplace accidents compared to 247 in 2006/07, however the number of employees who lost their lives in the agriculture industry increased from 36 to 39.

The figures also reveal fewer workers in the construction sector died from work-related injuries, down from 77 in 2006/07 to 72 in 2007/08.

HSE chair Judith Hackitt said the figures were encouraging but stressed work still needs to be done to reduce the number of staff killed in the workplace even more.

She claimed the reduction is proof that when bosses and staff work together to tackle the issue of workplace safety results can be achieved.

"Evidence shows that where employers and employees work closely together to agree the agenda and set targets to tackle real issues, they have made significant improvements," she said.

Around 34 people died from fatal injuries in the manufacturing sector in 2007/08 and the rate of injury was 1.1 per 100,000 workers, the HSE claims.