21 people were killed in work-related incidents in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry in Great Britain last year, according to figures published today (Thursday, July 6) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
This is just below the sector’s five-year age of 26 and the majority of deaths (64%) were to the self-employed.
While there were more deaths in the construction industry last year (45), the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry has the highest rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers of all the main industrial sectors.
The HSE said that the rate of fatal injury in the sector remains “markedly higher than the average across all industries”.
Fatal work-related incidents
Overall, 135 workers were killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain last year (period April 2022 to March 23). 26 of these were in Scotland, 15 in Wales and the remainder (94) in England.
This number is higher than the previous year (123), but in line with pre-pandemic levels. The figure for 2021/2021 was 145. Over the long-term however, the rate of fatal injury to workers shows a downward trend.
The three most common causes of fatal injuries are falls from height (40), being struck by a moving object (29), and being struck by a moving vehicle (20).
Commenting on the figures released as part of the ‘Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain’ report today, HSE chief executive Sarah Albon said: “Any loss of life in the workplace is a tragedy.
“While these figures show Great Britain is one of the safest countries in the world to work, safety must continue to be at the top of everyone’s agenda.
“Our mission is to protect people and places and we remain committed to maintaining safe workplaces and holding employers to account for their actions.”
A further 68 members of the public were killed following a work-related incident in 2022/23. This is a decrease of 20 from last year.
