Workplace Day of Remembrance 2021

First established in 2019, this day is bookmarked to encourage a time of reflection for those we have sadly lost in the workplace.

To honour and pay respect to our fallen colleagues, we all stand silent at 12-noon BST. We should all take a minute to be silent and pay homage to the lives lost in any business, at any level, in any sector. 

What do we know?

According to a report published by HSE, 142 workers sadly lost their lives whilst doing their jobs in Great Britain in 2021. Worryingly this is a sharp rise of 29 deaths from the figures in 2019/20. The most significant proportion of deaths was in the construction and agricultural industries. Sadly, in these industries, minor accidents turn into fatal tragedies due to the nature of the work and the apparatus at hand. 

Astutis stands and recognises those lost whilst fulfilling their occupational duty. We will also continue to raise awareness for workplace safety in every line of work.

This is magnified by the effects of COVID-19 and the lockdowns that came with the virus. 

There have been reports of increased risk in the aviation industry after COVID-19 related lockdowns, inciting calls to review workplace safety across the board.

If you feel anxious upon returning to work, talk to someone. It's always better to be safe than allow any anxiety to manifest. 

Returning to work after a long period away from the workplace can be dangerous, especially in high risk working environments. During the pandemic, worries emerged regarding potential cases of intruder syndrome for those returning to the workplace. Upon returning to the workplace, anxiety can be amplified if workers can't do their usual work at home. Work-related stress leads to more accidents in the workplace. This is why it was vitally important all businesses introduced returning to work training which helped to eradicate work-based anxiety after the initial COVID-19 lockdown. 

However, more needs to be done.

Moving Forward

It is vitally important moving forward that we do not under compensate in health and safety standards. The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted awareness for health and safety. It has made us take stricter precautions in larger groups; this must be replicated in the workplace. Understanding core health and safety principles, including fire safety, is paramount to not yourself and those around you. 

Let's use this day of awareness as a platform to alert ourselves of the work yet to be done. This day shows us how health and safety in the workplace can not be understated. Moving forward, let's all do our bit to make the workplace, and the world, a healthier and safer place for all. 

11 December is the day we recognise those we lost. We remember you. We will never forget.