Nearly two-thirds of employees experience workplace accidents that go unreported, highlighting a crucial gap in workplace safety.
- Only 36% of these incidents are formally reported, raising concerns about employee safety awareness and reporting processes.
- A significant 31% of workers never considered reporting their accidents, indicating a lack of awareness and training.
- Close to half, 46%, of the workforce is unsure about the correct procedure for reporting accidents.
- Certain industries like agriculture and human health lead in non-fatal workplace injuries, with significant room for improvement.
According to recent data from Simpson Millar, approximately 64% of workers have encountered accidents at work that remain unreported. This statistic reveals a substantial challenge in addressing workplace safety. Only 36% of workers have formally reported such incidents, which implies a potential underestimation of workplace hazards and safety issues.
An alarming 31% of surveyed employees acknowledged that they had ‘never thought to report’ their accident, pointing to a pervasive lack of awareness or understanding of the importance of accident reporting in maintaining workplace safety. This lack of reporting could mean that the actual number of non-fatal injuries, reported to be 561,000 in the UK last year, might indeed be much higher.
The reasons for not reporting often include a lack of awareness regarding the injury at the time of the accident or uncertainty about the reporting processes. An inability to report appropriately may lead to employees not receiving necessary support. Notably, 46% of employees remain unsure about the appropriate person or department to contact for reporting, further complicating the issue. On the other hand, 27% of workers understand whom to reach out to, underscoring the need for better communication and training within organisations.
Analysis of workplace injuries across various industries highlights surprising trends. The highest number of non-fatal injuries was reported in the human health and social work sector, followed closely by manufacturing and transportation. Interestingly, when adjusted for industry size, the agricultural sector exhibits the highest rate of non-fatal injuries per 100,000 workers. The water supply and waste management sector ranks second in this regard, presenting an urgent call for sector-specific workplace safety initiatives.
Addressing the high rate of unreported workplace accidents is essential for improving safety protocols and employee wellbeing.
