A MEMORIAL service has been held to remember all those who have died or had their lives severely affected from workplace incidents.

On Friday, April 28, a group met up to mark International Workers Memorial Day, with Colchester mayor Tim Young attending along with mayoress Nicola Goodchild, councillor Dave Harris and leaders of Colchester Trades Council.

The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive, which records the reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences, show 168 people reported suffering injuries at work in Colchester in 2021-22.

It’s an increase of 132 from the year before.

An injury is recorded if an employee misses the following seven days of work after an incident has taken place.

Injuries are also recorded if an employee suffers a fracture, amputation, reduction or loss of sight, serious burn, or a head injury which causes unconsciousness.

Hypothermia or heat-induced illness caused by working in an enclosed space are also officially recorded as causes of injury.

Over the last eight years, 1,100 people have died at work across Great Britain, but none of these deaths were recorded in Colchester.