Health and safety responsibilities in FTSE 250 companies revealed
Iain Hoey
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New research uncovers workload of health and safety officers
New research by Skillcast has highlighted the substantial responsibilities placed on health and safety officers across the UK.
By examining various data points, the compliance e-learning company sought to estimate the number of people each health and safety officer is responsible for, identify the regions with the most injuries, and determine which industries are more susceptible to workplace injuries.
The findings indicate that, on average, one health and safety officer could be entrusted with the safety of 99 people at any given time.
Additionally, Skillcast determined using LinkedIn data that health and safety officers constitute only 1% of the overall workforce in FTSE companies.
Regional disparities in workplace injuries
Skillcast’s analysis, based on data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), revealed significant regional disparities in non-fatal workplace injuries.
Workers in Wales are the most susceptible to injuries, with 267 non-fatal injuries recorded per 100,000 employees.
Following Wales, the North East and North West regions each reported 256 injuries per 100,000 employees.
At a more granular level, North Warwickshire has the highest rate of non-fatal workplace injuries, with 852 injuries per 100,000 employees.
Other high-risk areas include South Staffordshire and Bolsover, with 599 and 550 injuries per 100,000 employees, respectively.
Industry-specific injury rates
The research also highlighted industry-specific injury rates, with agriculture, forestry, and fishing being the most dangerous sectors.
Employees in these industries are more than twice as likely to suffer an injury, with a rate of 3,730 injuries per 100,000 workers.
Other high-risk industries include construction, with 2,640 injuries per 100,000 workers, and accommodation and food service activities, with 2,500 injuries per 100,000 workers.
Vivek Dodd, CEO of Skillcast, commented on the findings: “As businesses strive to create safe and healthy work environments, our research highlights the pivotal role health and safety officers play in protecting the well-being of employees and maintaining operational integrity.
“The insights provided should urge organisations to evaluate their safety protocols and invest in the necessary resources to provide key training for staff and ensure a secure workplace for all.”
