On-the-job injuries on the rise for Armed Forces, with females more at risk
The number of injuries military personnel are sustaining on the job has risen according to the latest figures – with females proportionately suffering 50% more than males.
However, while the Ministry of Defence has seen an increase in the number of health and safety incidents over the 2023/24 period, the number of deaths has decreased.
Overall incidents have risen though by more than 1,000 – 26,833 in 2023/24 compared with 25,200 across 2022/23.
The Army accounted for significantly more injury and ill health incidents than any other service, with 9,978 of the 12,201 cases involving soldiers.
The Army also saw an increase on its own figures for the previous year, with 9,080 cases reported in the 2022/23 period.
The RAF saw an increase as well, with 1,137 reported incidents in the latest period compared with 875 in the year before.
But the Royal Navy saw a decrease of injury and ill health incidents, with 1,086 reported in 2023/24 compared with 1,146 from the previous year.
Injuries during training and exercises were the biggest contributor to the statistics – accounting for 61% of the total across the military.
The ratio of female members of the Armed Forces getting injured is significantly higher than males – with nearly six out of every 100 female personnel sustaining an injury compared with four in every 100 males.
Civilian personnel accounted for 3,954 (15%) of all health and safety incidents that were reported.
Members of the Cadet Forces, including Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, amounted to 992, representing 4% of all reported health and safety incidents.
Out of the total of health and safety incidents reported over the 2023/24 period, 13% were deemed serious.
However, the number of health and safety-related deaths recorded by the MOD decreased significantly.
Only three were reported over the period compared with nine during 2022/23.
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