Executive Summary of HSE Manufacturing Industry Safety Statistics

Executive Summary of the HSE Report on Manufacturing Statistics in Great Britain

This blog post by First Mats provides an executive summary of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Report on Manufacturing Statistics in Great Britain, 2023. The report contains key facts and statistics on ill health and workplace injuries within the manufacturing sector.

1. 91,000 Workers Suffer from Work-Related Ill Health

According to the report, an average of 91,000 workers in the manufacturing sector suffered from work-related ill health between 2020/21 and 2022/23. This includes both new and long-standing cases. The rate of self-reported work-related ill health had been broadly flat in the years prior to the coronavirus pandemic, but was higher in the years affected by the pandemic (Source: LFS, average estimate over 2020/21-2022/23).

2. 15 Fatal Injuries to Workers in 2022/23

The report revealed that there were 15 fatal injuries to workers in the manufacturing sector in 2022/23. This is lower than the annual average of 19 fatalities over the five-year period from 2018/19 to 2022/23 (Source: RIDDOR, 2022/23p).

3. 46,000 Workers Sustained Non-Fatal Injuries at Work

On average, 46,000 workers in the manufacturing sector sustained non-fatal injuries at work over the three-year period from 2020/21 to 2022/23. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the rate of self-reported non-fatal injuries showed a downward trend (Source: LFS, average estimate over 2020/21-2022/23).

4. Manufacturing Sector Accounts for 8% of the Workforce in Great Britain

The manufacturing sector represents 8% of the total workforce in Great Britain (Source: Annual Population Survey, 2022).

5. 40% of Work-Related Ill Health Cases are Musculoskeletal Disorders

Of the estimated 91,000 workers suffering from work-related ill health, 40% were musculoskeletal disorders (Source: LFS, average estimate over 2020/21-2022/23).

6. 41% of Work-Related Ill Health Cases are Stress, Depression or Anxiety

Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 41% of all work-related ill health cases in the manufacturing sector (Source: LFS, average estimate over 2020/21-2022/23).

7. 3,000 Workers Suffer from Work-Related Breathing or Lung Problems

An estimated 3,000 workers in the manufacturing sector suffered from work-related breathing or lung problems, representing 0.11% of workers in the sector (Source: LFS, average estimate over 2016/17-2022/23).

8. 15 Fatal Injuries to Workers in 2022/23

There were 15 fatal injuries to workers in the manufacturing sector in 2022/23, compared to an annual average of 19 fatalities over the five-year period 2018/19-2022/23 (Source: RIDDOR, 2022/23p).

9. 46,000 Workers Sustained Non-Fatal Injuries at Work

An estimated 46,000 workers in the manufacturing sector reported sustaining a workplace non-fatal injury, with 27% of these injuries resulting in absence from work of over 7 days (Source: LFS, average estimate over 2020/21-2022/23).

10. Total Economic Cost of Work-Related Ill Health and Injury is £1.4 Billion

The total economic cost of work-related ill health and workplace injury in the manufacturing sector in 2021/22 is estimated at £1.4 billion, accounting for 7% of the total cost of all work-related ill health and injury in Great Britain (£20.6 billion) (Source: HSE Costs to Britain, 2021/22).

Conclusion

The HSE report presents a comprehensive overview of the health and safety landscape in the manufacturing sector in Great Britain, highlighting the key areas of concern such as work-related ill health, fatal and non-fatal injuries, and the economic cost of these issues. It's clear that while some progress has been made, there is still work to be done to improve the health and safety conditions in this critical sector.