HSE Figures For Great Britain in 2020 – Mesothelioma & Accidents at Work
The HSE has released Health & Safety statistics for 2020 and has included key statistics regarding work-based injury, diseases and other conditions. As we represent numerous clients for claims due to accidents at work and diseases caused by negligent exposure to asbestos as well as other industrial diseases. We have reviewed the key statistics and figures in terms of mesothelioma and work-based injuries to provide you with the key information from the documents. We have also provided a link to the documents so that you can access the documents if you wish to read the key statistics provided by the Health & Safety Executive.
Our expert solicitors are available to advise you should you seek representation for compensation for work-based injuries or diseases caused by negligence by a third party or employer. Contact us today to find out more about our personal injury solicitors in Newcastle.
Key Statistics Regarding Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma takes many years to develop and is a form of lung cancer. The latency period can be highly extended as it can take many years for the disease to develop following the inhalation of asbestos fibres. Annual deaths in the UK have increased steeply over the last 50 years, largely as a consequence of asbestos exposure because of the widespread use of asbestos across many industries and buildings in the 1950s – 1980s. The key information from the HSE executive findings is noted below:
- There were 2,446 mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain in 2018, a broadly similar number to the previous six years.
- Annual numbers of deaths for years up to around 2020 are expected to remain at about 2,500. More than half of annual deaths now occur in those aged over 75 years. Annual deaths in this age group continue to increase while deaths below age 70 are now decreasing.
- There were 2,050 male deaths in 2018, a slight reduction compared with recent years, and 396 female deaths.
- There were 2,025 new cases of mesothelioma assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) in 2019 of which 240 were female. This compares with 2,230 new cases in 2018, of which 245 were female.
- Men who worked in the building industry when asbestos was used extensively in the past are now among those most at risk of mesothelioma.
One of the standout facts of this report is that there were 2,446 mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain in 2018. This being at a broadly similar level has seen commentaries that mesothelioma related illnesses and deaths are set to decline in the coming years due to the ban of asbestos as a material in the 1980s.
Source: https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/mesothelioma/mesothelioma.pdf
Work-Related Ill-Health & Musculoskeletal Disorders
There were a reported 0.5 million musculoskeletal disorder cases that were new or long-standing in 2019/2020. This was sourced as an estimate from self-reports from the Labour Force Survey of people who worked in the last 12 months.
0.7 million workers sustained a non-fatal injury or injuries in 2019/2020. These estimates are based on self-reports from Labour Force Survey.
There were 111 fatal injuries to workers reported by RIDDOR.
Source: https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh1920.pdf