It is reasonable to assume that accident and ill heath statistics will be lower in a year when a global pandemic results in country wide lockdowns, restrictions on travel and a contraction in the economy of 9.9%. However the latest statistics from the HSE (https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh1920.pdf) do not fully bear this out.
While the HSE statistics through RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) show a significant drop in fatalities as well as a drop in the number of non-fatal injuries, this is at odds with the Labour Force Survey.
According to the Labour Force Survey for the same period, work related ill health rose from 1.4 to 1.6 million cases, non fatal accidents rose from 0.6m to 0.7m and the number of working days lost due to work related ill health rose a huge 37.6% from 28.2 to 38.8 million days.
In addition to this, and probably less surprising was a rise in the number of work related stress, depression or anxiety cases (0.6 to 0.8m cases) highlighting the impact that COVID-19 has had on our mental health. Looking at the 828,000 workers suffering from work related stress, depression or anxiety, the highest instances were in the Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply while public administration, defence, human health & social work and education were not far behind reflecting some of the industries put under the most pressure from the COVID pandemic.
The impacts of working at home are starting to show too, with upper limb and neck disorders rising from 203,000 to 212,000 cases possibly from sitting arched over laptop computer screens without an adequate consideration of the ergonomics. Are we looking at a long term increase in neck and upper back disorders from the pandemic?
While the work from home guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19 did not result a clear drop in workplace accidents and ill health, it is clear that the stress being put on working people in their working and personal lives has increased dramatically, potentially leading to a mental health crisis. Are these statistics just the tip of the iceberg? We will have to wait for next years results to see where the long term trends are.
If you have noticed COVID-19 having a negative impact on the health, safety and/or welfare of your employees contact Safe Construction Design and we will guide you through the various steps that can be taken to mitigate the risks caused by the pandemic.
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