Too many workers are still being injured or made ill by work despite Britain being one of the safest places to work in Europe, according to figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

Injury and ill-health statistics released by the HSE show that an estimated 28.2 million working days were lost due to work related ill health or injury in 2013/14.

As a result, the cost to society from such injuries and new cases of ill health due to current working conditions is an estimated £14.2 billion (2012/13 figures based on 2012 prices), according to the latest annual statistics published by HSE today.

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Judith Hackitt, the chair of HSE, says that behind every number is the reality of a real person being killed or suffering injuries or ill health while simply doing their job.

She said: "These latest figures remind us what health and safety is really about. We should remind ourselves what these numbers actually mean – the number of times in the last year someone went out to work and either did not return home to their loved ones or came home with life changing injuries.

"The health numbers also demonstrate the scale of harm being done to people’s health while at work, too often leading to premature death.

"Jobsworths using 'elf n safety as a convenient excuse for all manner of things, and those claiming health and safety is a burden, need to reflect on this. Britain has one of the best health and safety systems in the world, but that is cold comfort to those who have suffered loss or suffering that is so easily avoided with sensible and proportionate risk management.

"We all need to commit to focussing on what really matters – ensuring more people return home from work every day and enjoy long and healthy working lives."

(CD/IT)