50,000 work-related deaths not recorded, claims union

Up to 50,000 work-related deaths may go unreported each year, according to a major union.

The GMB says that figures recorded for the Health and Safety Executive look to be lower than last year’s total of 144 work-related deaths.

While this is good news, the union say it is tempered by the fact UK workers are moving away from industries like construction and agriculture – where deaths are easily recorded – into service industries.

Today is International Workers’ Memorial Day and the union says the figures do not include occupational disease – primarily lung and heart disease, workers killed in road traffic accidents, at sea or work-related suicides.

The GM estimates that between 20,000 and 50,000 workers or ex-workers are killed in these ways each year.

The GMB is participating in a series of events across the country today in honour of International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Dan Shears, GMB national officer for health and safety, said: “Official work-related deaths look like they will be down for 2016/17 – and clearly that’s good news, but it does not tell the whole story.

“UK workers are moving away from industries like construction and agriculture, wheredeathsareeasilyrecorded, into service industries.

“These figures do not include occupational disease – primarily lung disease and heart disease; workers killed in road traffic accidents; workers killed at sea; and work-related suicides.

“GMB estimates up to 50,000 workers or ex-workers are killed in these ways each year.

“The official figures are the tip of the iceberg.”