There were 29 fatalities in the agricultural industry over the last year as the sector continues to suffer one of the highest death rates of any business.
Annual figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show that the agriculture industry has a fatal injury rate 18 times higher than the all-industry average.
There were 38 fatal injuries to construction workers between April 2017 and March 2018, 15 each in the manufacturing and transport industries and 12 among waste and recycling sector workers.
The most common causes of fatal injuries were falls from height (35), being struck by a moving vehicle (26) and being hit by a moving object (23). The three situations caused almost 60 per cent of the 144 fatalities over the period.
The 2017-18 figures represent an increase of nine fatalities on the previous year, but there has overall been a reduction since 1981, with the figure remaining level for the past few years.
HSE chair Martin Temple said: “Despite the fact that Britain’s health and safety record is the envy of much of the world, the increase in the number of workers fatally injured is clearly a source of concern.
“Published in the same week as the 30th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, the figures serve as a reminder of why health and safety is so important and that we must not become complacent as we continue on our mission to prevent all forms of injury, death and ill health at work.”
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