HSE statistics: your 2022/23 summary

HSE statistics: your 2022/23 summary

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its annual statistics for 2022/23. Here, we summarise the key findings and what they mean for the builders' merchant sector. For the latest figures, see our summary of the 2024/25 statistics.

Workplace fatalities

In 2022/23, 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in Great Britain, up from 123 in 2021/22.

Non-fatal injuries

Employers reported 60,645 non-fatal injuries to employees under RIDDOR in 2022/23, compared to 61,713 in 2021/22. The most common kinds of accident behind them were:

• Slips, trips, and falls on the same level (32%)
• Handling, lifting or carrying (17%)
• Being struck by a moving object (11%)

Work-related ill health

In 2022/23, 1.8 million workers were suffering from work-related ill health (new or long-standing), 672,000 of them from a new case. Stress, depression or anxiety was the largest type in 2022/23 (875,000 workers), followed by musculoskeletal disorders (473,000 workers).

Musculoskeletal disorders alone cost an estimated 6.6 million working days in 2022/23. Across all work-related ill health and workplace injury, an estimated 35.2 million working days were lost.

Sector-specific data

For the wholesale and retail trade sector (which includes builders merchants), HSE found a rate of workplace non-fatal injury statistically significantly higher than the average across all industries, based on Labour Force Survey estimates averaged over 2020/21 to 2022/23. Agriculture, forestry and fishing, construction, and accommodation and food services were in the same group.

What this means for builders' merchants

The annual HSE statistics help to shape the regulator's inspection priorities for the coming year. Based on the 2022/23 statistics, key areas of focus for builders merchants should include:

• Falls from height: Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities. For builders merchants, common fall-from-height risks include working on racking systems, loading and unloading from vehicles, and using ladders for maintenance and stock replenishment tasks.
• Workplace transport: With 'struck by moving vehicle' being a leading cause of fatalities, managing the risks associated with vehicles in your yard and delivery operations remains a priority.
• Manual handling: Handling, lifting and carrying is the second most common cause of non-fatal injuries, highlighting the need for robust manual handling controls.
• Work-related stress: With stress, depression or anxiety the largest type of work-related ill health, supporting employee mental health should be a priority for all businesses.