HSE figures highlight the fatality risk to the public… as well as employees!
The H&S Dept
This July, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published the latest workplace fatality figures. The good news is that worker deaths are lower than last year and one of the lowest on record. And when international comparison is made, the UK is one of the safest countries in which to go to work.
However still, 126 people went to work one morning last year and didn’t come home alive. Furthermore, 104 members of the public were killed in work-related accidents.
A look at the detail
Of the 126 deaths from work-related accidents, over a third were in construction and the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors. Roughly a quarter of all work-related deaths were caused by a fall from height, followed by “struck by a moving vehicle” and “struck by a moving object”.
The highest rate of work-related deaths per 100,000 workers remains in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries, with 8.09 per 100,000. This is 21 times higher than the all-industry rate.
The latest statistics also separately include 2,146 deaths caused by mesothelioma for 2024. This past-exposure to asbestos caused lung-cancer though substantial is also on the decline, indicative of improvements made over time around asbestos health and safety.
This figure is markedly lower than the ten-year average of 2,508 per year (2011-2020). Many of these deaths will have been the result of asbestos exposure prior to the 1980s so future numbers are expected to decreased further.
Comparisons
The headline figures, are following a downward trend, though the trend is slowing. The 126 deaths for 2025/26 are only two lower than the previous year, but significantly lower compared to the 217 deaths of 20 years ago (2005/06).
Workers aged 60 and over represent roughly a third of all deaths despite only accounting for 12% of the work force. 93% of all fatalities were men.
The most dangerous industry to work in remains the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors, which has a 21 times higher rate of work-related fatality than the all-industry average.
What to focus on
Key take aways from these statistics include:
Work-related deaths are on the decline. Keep rigorous with your health and safety to continue this downward trend. Risk assessments are key to identifying potential hazards and how to eliminate or mitigate them. Having robust policies and procedures in place aid this improvement.
Falls from height, struck by a moving vehicle and struck by a moving object remain the top three causes of fatality, accounting for roughly 60% of all deaths. These three causes of death are nothing new, but having stringent health and safety practices in place can see this number fall. Following any accident, investigating exactly what happened and reviewing existing policies and procedures can be key to lowering future statistics.
Keeping your business in safe hands
Whilst the overall downward trend in fatalities shows that the United Kingdom is amongst the safest countries to work in, it is of paramount importance that health and safety in the workplace does not slip. Your business must take every measure to protect its staff and keep everyone safe.
Here at The Health & Safety Dept we are on hand to ensure that your business is doing all it can to meet health and safety requirements and give you the peace of mind that your business is the safest it can be.
Whether you need support with risk assessments, writing policies and procedures, training or accident investigations, we are just a click or phone call away. Reach out today and you’ll be in safe hands.
