WORKPLACE injuries are happening in parts of the region at a rate far above the British average, new figures reveal.

372 injuries for every 100,000 workers in the South Gloucestershire area were reported to the Health and Safety Executive in 2016/17.

That comes as a stark contrast to the national average, where 263 injuries were reported for every 100,000 workers in 2016/17. 

However, 215 injuries were reported in the Stroud District for the same amount of workers, and 261 in Wiltshire, which comes in below the average.

That comes as a stark contrast to the national average, where 263 injuries were reported for every 100,000 workers in 2016/17. 

“There are various factors which might contribute to a higher-than-average rate of injury, such as a prevalence of high-risk industries locally,” explained Brett Dixon, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) a national not-for-profit group which represents people suffering needless injuries.

“The good news is that no workers were killed in the area and there has been a national long-term downward trend in the rate of both injuries and deaths in workplaces.

"Our concern is that safeguards which protect workers are not unravelled by the Brexit process,” he said.

Workplace deaths in Britain have fallen by 85 per cent since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974.

“Health and safety legislation and subsequent case law have been huge players in making our workplaces safer, and much of that has its roots in Europe,” said Mr Dixon.

“The government has the power to pick out what is needed and dispense with what is not when EU laws are converted into UK laws under the Repeal Bill. This process needs the most vigorous parliamentary scrutiny so that the laws which protect workers are not unravelled. It is literally a matter of life or death.

“Let’s hope that next year we’re looking at figures which show a reduction in workplace injury, and that everyone who goes out to work returns home,” Mr Dixon added.