More workplace deaths than murders, report claims

At least twice as many people die from fatal injuries at work than are victims of homicide, suggests a report published last month by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.

A crisis of enforcement found that in 2005-06 at least 1,300 people died as a result of fatal occupational injuries in England and Wales, compared with 765 homicide victims. Non-fatal workplace injuries requiring hospitalisation were also likely to be greater that year than those needing such treatment following violent offences formally recorded as crimes.

Steve Tombs, one of the authors said: “Violent street crime consumes enormous political, media and academic energy. But, as hundreds of thousands of workers and their families know, it is the violence associated with working for a living that is most likely to kill and hospitalise.”

The report argues that the recent trend towards “light touch” regulation has “decriminalised” death and injury at work. Serious incidents are underreported and the reduction in the capacity to inspect and take action has led to a situation where the majority of the most serious injuries, as well as many deaths, are not investigated.

David Whyte, who co-wrote the report said: “HSE enforcement notices fell by 40% and prosecutions fell by 49% between 2001-02 and 2005-06. The collapse in HSE enforcement and prosecution sends a clear message that the government is prepared to let employers kill and maim with impunity.”