Nearly 150 people injured at work in Dacorum last year

As workers, employers and unions commemorate International Workers Memorial Day on Friday, new figures show almost 150 Dacorum workers reported suffering injuries at their jobs last year.

However, the figures were questioned by unions, who said deaths from certain sectors were not included, as well as from work-related illnesses such as asbestos exposure.

The GMB trade union said it is "extremely sceptical" that the current data shows the full story, and claimed there are issues with under-reporting.

The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive – known as Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations – show 148 people reported suffering injuries at work in Dacorum in 2021-22 – up from 124 the year before.

This was also up from 143 in 2018-19, before the coronavirus pandemic.

Across Great Britain, 61,700 workers reported non-fatal injuries in 2021-22 – down from 69,300 in 2018-19.

An injury is recorded if an employee misses the following seven days of work, or if they suffer a fracture, amputation, reduction or loss of sight, serious burn, a head injury which causes unconsciousness, scalping, crush-related injuries, or hypothermia or heat-induced illness caused by working in an enclosed space.

Daniel Shears, national health and safety officer at GMB, said: "Whilst almost all work-related fatalities in the scope of RIDDOR will be reported, by definition this excludes deaths at sea, deaths airside in aviation, all work-related road traffic fatalities, and work-related suicides."

Mr Shears said adding these and those from long-term illnesses caused in the workplace puts the true figure of annual deaths in the UK between 20,000 and 50,000.

He also called on greater funding for regulators to increase the number of employers reporting injuries and fatalities.

The figures also showed 110 (74%) of the 148 non-fatal injuries recorded in Dacorum resulted in someone missing at least seven working days.

Meanwhile, 1,100 people have died at work across Great Britain over the last eight years, when comparable figures began – of them, four were in Dacorum.

Shelly Asquith, health and safety lead at the TUC, said: "Now is not the time for complacency. Too many people are dying from avoidable workplace accidents and illnesses".

Ms Asquith also called on the Government to provide "proper investment in health and safety enforcement".