British Workplaces Amongst the Safest in the World and Accidents at Work at an all Time Low

LONDON, August 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Year on year the number of people who lose their lives at work is dropping and the significant improvement in safety has branded British workplaces amongst the safest in the world.

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To celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act it was revealed that the number of people who lose their lives at work has dropped by over 85% over the past forty years. Figures have dropped from over 650 a year in 1974 to a record low of 133.

It isn't just fatalities that have dropped. The number of accidents at work resulting in injuries has also reduced by 77% over the same period of time with figures dropping from 336,701 to 78,222. The Health and Safety at Work Act has had an enormous impact on the lives of British workers. The 1974 Act paved the way for the creation of the Health and Safety Commission and the establishment as we know it today regulating and managing the health and safety risks effectively.

The Minister of State for Health and Safety, Mark Harper, said "Britain has come an incredibly long way over the past forty years in protecting its workforce." He also added that "Any death at work is a death too many. But few can dispute that the reduction in fatalities and injuries over the past 40 years is a significant step forward. Britain is now officially one of the safest places in Europe - and the world - to work."

The fall in accidents at work has resulted in a drop in the last decade of the number of days taken off work due to work-related illnesses or injuries. In 2011/12, around 27.0 million working days were lost in total, with 4.3 million due to workplace injuries and 22.7 million due to work-related illness. This compares to the 40.00 million days lost a little over a decade ago in 2000/2001.

A spokesman for leading law firm the Accident Advice Helpline said "The drop in work place accidents is a result to be celebrated but no matter what line of work you are involved in, it is important to always be self-aware and speak up if you discover a potential risk to your health or the health of others."

Accidents at work have dropped but sadly they do still happen. If you find yourself injured from a workplace accident make sure you chose the Accident Advice Helpline. They've been dealing with compensation claims for 14 years and are endorsed by Esther Rantzen. Give them a call on 0800 689 7721 to talk to an advisor about your claim.

All figures and statistics have been acquired through the Health and Safety Executive (http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/)

Contact : Rhian Westbury
Phone number : +44-0208-416-2035
After hours contact: +44(0)7972315922
Email address : rwestbury@aagplc.com