Here at Safepoint, we think that nothing is more important than worker safety. That's why, if we're not focused on building and improving our Lone Worker Solution, we're keeping up to date on the much maligned world of health and safety.

In fact, with so much health and safety data passing through the Safepoint office, we thought we'd take some time to share the most vital and interesting safety facts you need to know right now.

Want more recent data? Check out our health and safety facts 2018/2019.

#1 5.5 Million days of work were lost due to injury in 2016/17

That's right, in 2016/2017 a truly staggering 5.5 million days of work were lost in the UK due to work-related injury. This ever-present threat to workers' wellbeing (and to productivity) is too huge to be ignored. Plus, imagine trying to catch up on your emails after 15,000 years of sick leave. (And yes, we did the maths).
Sourced Here.

#2 There are as many Fatal injuries in the services as there are in construction.

Sadly, fatal injuries can happen in any industry. At Safepoint, we have noticed that a lot of time is focused, quite rightly, on the dangers of manual labour, but without taking time to admit the threats posed in other industries. Below you can see that fatal injuries can happen in any industry. That's why a robust health and safety strategy is important for all business types.
(statistics taken from 2017/2018) Sourced here.

#3 the shocking cost of work-related injury

Work-related injuries cost a staggering amount to British industries every year. So staggering, in fact, that we couldn't picture it without using jumbo jets. Bonus fact: 50 jumbo jets could carry roughly 15,000 passengers.
Sourced here.

#4 there are more lone workers than you may think

Around 22% of the British workforce are considered lone workers. A lone worker might be anyone who works on their own without direct supervision – including construction workers, health workers and carers, housing association workers, sales workers and more. The legal definition of lone workers also includes many contractors and part time workers. Plus, with the rising freelance and ‘gig’ economy, there are many reasons for this category to be growing. For more information on who may count as a ‘lone worker’ see our helpful definition, here.
Sourced here.

#5 the worrying rate of work-related injury

Roughly 1 in 50 of Britain's 31 million workers may suffer injuries this year. This is a worrying prospect even in a traditional work place, with high supervision and easy access to emergency help. When you consider that lone workers can often work in hard to reach areas, perhaps miles from their nearest coworker, the threat becomes even higher. That's why Safepoint is proud to be working with lone workers and industries of all types to build solutions that will help keep lone workers safe.
Sourced here.

The takeaway

Health and Safety regulations can be a little daunting and, sometimes, a little dull... However, knowing the scale and complexity of workplace dangers can be hugely beneficial. So if you found this blog valuable, leave us a comment and tell us what you'd like to see next.

To find out more about how Safepoint can protect your lone workers, see our how it works page.

Or, to try Safepoint for yourself, sign up to our 14-day free trial to see how we can help protect your business.

Five surprising health and safety facts