Workplace injury figures for the borough are revealed

The government body, which marks its 40th anniversary in 2014, revealed that in Dacorum alone the Health and Safety Executive investigated 186 cases of workplace injuries in the year 2013 to 2014. The borough has also seen 2,700 struck with work-related illnesses in the same period.

In the eastern region there were 11 deaths caused by accidents at work, and a total of 8,120 injuries recorded. The figure compares to 19 deaths in the previous year and 8,287 injuries.

Nationally, there were 133 deaths at work, more than 79,500 injuries formally reported and over 1.1 million estimated to have been made ill.

The numbers, however, reflect a decline from when the Health and Safety Executive was formed in January 1975.

HSE regional director Tim Galloway said: “These figures offer encouragement that we are continuing to head in the right direction, but also show we can go further and challenge the industries where there is room to do more.

“Workplace conditions have improved dramatically in the past four decades, but as employers prepare for the new financial year they need to ensure that health, safety and welfare is a clear focus.”

Last week, Hemel Hempstead’s Royal Mail depot was fined for health and safety breaches after one of its workers suffered serious injuries in a chemical spill.