To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many work-related deaths have occurred in each year since 1997; and who is responsible for investigating work-related incidents. [110828]
The information on the number of work-related deaths which have occurred in each year since 1997, reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, is in the table:
| Employee | Self- employed | Member of the public | Total | |
| 1996–97 | 207 | 80 | 367 | 654 |
| 1997–98 | 212 | 62 | 393 | 667 |
| 1998–99 | 188 | 65 | 369 | 622 |
| 1999–2000 | 162 | 58 | 436 | 656 |
| 2000–01 | 213 | 79 | 444 | 736 |
| 2001–021 | 204 | 45 | 384 | 633 |
| 2002–031,2 | 126 | 35 | 325 | 486 |
| 1 Provisional | ||||
| 2 First nine months. | ||||
Notes:
1. Figures refer to Great Britain, and planning years from 1 April to 31 March.
Figures for members of the public include acts of suicide and trespass on railway systems. In 2001–02 such incidents accounted for 275 of the total fatal injuries to members of the public.
HSE and local authorities are responsible for investigating work-related health and safety incidents which are reportable to them, according to the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998.