UK Performs Better Than Many Other European Countries In Health and Safety

04/11/2015

Health and Safety Statistics show that the UK is performing better than many other European countries when it comes to protecting workers’ welfare.

Statistics show:

• In 2014, around 92% of UK workplaces surveyed claimed that they undertook regular health and safety risk assessments. This is more than most EU countries including Spain (90%), Germany (66%) and France (56%) but lower than Italy (95%). Additionally, three quarters of UK workplaces used internal staff to carry out their risk assessments, which was considerably higher than the EU average of just under 50%.         

• The UK consistently has one of the lowest rates of fatal injury across the EU. In 2012 the standardised rate was 0.58 per 100,000 workers, which compares favourably with other large economies such as France (2.64 per 100,000 workers), Germany (0.9 per 100,000 workers), Italy (1.29 per 100,000 workers) and Spain (1.99 per 100,000 workers).          

• European surveys reveal that the majority of UK workers are confident that their job does not put their health or safety at risk. Additionally, UK businesses are more likely to have a health and safety policy, and to follow this up with formal risk assessment, compared to other EU countries .

European Directives Governing Health and Safety At Work Issues

Under the EU Treaty, Directives form EU Statutes, which are binding on all member states and require them to transpose them into domestic law within a set time frame.  Members can increase the rights given under the Directive, or adopt tougher rules, but they are forbidden to draft domestic legislation that falls below the Directive’s standards.

Examples of workplace health and safety Directives include:

• The OSH Framework Directive         

• Workplaces, equipment, signs, personal protective equipment         

• Exposure to chemical agents and chemical safety          

• Exposure to physical hazards          

• Exposure to biological agents          

• Provisions on workload, ergonomical and psychosocial risks

The UK holds an enviable record for good health and safety practices in the workplace.  However, with 35 deaths in the construction sector in 2014/2015, it is clear many companies still need to improve their risk management and health and safety practices.  

Fisher Scoggins Waters are a London based law firm who are specialise in construction, manufacturing and engineering matters. If you have recently had a health and safety incident occur in your workplace, please phone us on 0207 993 6960