New official statistics published today show that there was an increase in the number of people killed at work last year. The HSE has released provisional data for the year April 2010 to March 2011, which shows the number of workers killed was 171, an increase on the previous year, when 147 died (the lowest number on record).

The rate of fatal injury is now 0.6 per 100,000 workers, up from 0.5 per 100,000 workers the previous year.  

Judith Hackitt, the HSE Chair, said: "The increase in the number of deaths in the last year is disappointing, after an all-time low last year. However, we must remember that we still have one of the lowest rates of fatal injury anywhere in Europe.

"The fact that 171 people failed to come home from work to their loved ones last year reminds us all of what we are here to do. It is a stark reminder of the need to ensure that health and safety remains focused on the real risks which exist in workplaces not on trivia and pointless paperwork.

"We all have a role to play - employers, employees and regulators - and leadership is fundamental to maintaining and improving our performance even further. In a world of work which is constantly changing we must all continue to review what we do and how we do it and strive to become even more effective at managing risks which cost lives."

The figures published today also show the rate of fatal injuries in several of the key industrial sectors:

• 50 fatal injuries to construction workers were recorded, an increase from the 41 deaths recorded in 2009/10.
• 34 fatal injuries to agricultural workers were recorded, a fall from the 39 deaths recorded in 2009/10.
• 9 fatal injuries to waste and recycling workers were recorded, a sharp increase from the three deaths recorded in 2009/10.

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