Figures reveal the number of HSE investigations declined by 43% in five years

New research published by the UK’s largest trade union, Unite, shows investigation levels into major injuries to workers have declined by 43% between 2001/2 and 2006/7.

In 2006/7, the last year when statistics are available, only 10.5% of major injuries reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were investigated.

The research, undertaken by the Centre for Corporate Accountability for Unite, also shows that in the same five year period there has been a 69% reduction in the number of worker ‘over-three day’ injuries investigated, a 31% decline in the number of ‘dangerous occurrences’ investigated, and a 68% decline in the number of members of the public injuries investigated.