The rate of non-fatal construction injuries in construction increased in 2018/19, despite a fall in the number of successful convictions in prosecutions brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
New figures released by the HSE showed that there were 366 non-fatal injuries per 100,000 workers in 2018/19, compared to 359 per 100,000 in the year before.
During 2018/19, the total number of reported non-fatal injuries was 4,872, lower than the 4,932 that occurred in 2017/18.
Meanwhile, new enforcement figures showed the total number of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecutions in the construction sector resulting in at least one conviction fell to 146 in 2018/19, down from 190 in 2017/18. And the quantum of fines in the sector dropped too, down to £15.7m in 2018/19, from just under £18m in the year before.
There was also a slight drop in the rate of convictions, which stood at 92% in 2018/19, down from 94% in 2017/18.
The new figures came after it was revealed earlier this year that there were 30 fatal incidents involving construction workers in 2018/19, down from 37 in the prior year.
Martin Temple, HSE chair, said: “Great Britain’s position as one of the safest places to work should be a point of pride for us all, but these figures show there is still much to be done to ensure workers go home both healthy and safe.
“These figures should highlight to us all the vital importance of managing risk and promoting behaviours to improve the standard of good health and safety practice in the workplace.
“We must all share the responsibility of ensuring everybody is aware of what they need to do to work right by preventing work-related incidents, and making our places of work healthier and safer for everyone.”
