The number of accidents at work that resulted in a fatality rose over the course of last year.
According to the latest statistics from the Health and Safety Executive, 171 people died during the year from April 2010 to March 2011. This is an increase on the 147 recorded in the previous year, which was the lowest number on record. As such, the rate of fatal injury at work now stands at 0.6 per 100,000 workers; up from 0.5 workers in the previous year.
Roger Bibbings, occupational safety advisor at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, commented, “This rise in the number of fatalities is disappointing and highlights the fact that improvements in performance are to be sustained; continuing efforts in health and safety are required.
"Nearly half the fatalities are occurring in two sectors – agriculture and construction – so both the regulator and all other stakeholders in these sectors will need to redouble their efforts.”
He added that the victim’s family should seek advice and guidance from a personal injury lawyer in the case of an unexpected loss. This could go some way to helping organise and finance funeral arrangements as well as other financial outlays that can result from an accident.