Persistent Safety Challenges on UK Construction Sites
The UK construction sector continues to face significant challenges in ensuring worker safety, according to recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Provisional annual data for 2024/25 indicates that 35 workers tragically lost their lives in construction-related incidents in Great Britain. This figure, while a reduction from the 50 fatalities in 2023/24, remains a concern, with the five-year average for construction worker fatal injuries standing at 40.
Falls from height remain the most common cause of fatal injuries across all industries, accounting for 35 deaths in 2024/25, highlighting a persistent risk that the construction sector must address. In 2023/24, falls from height were responsible for 50 fatalities, making up over a third of all workplace fatalities, and showing a 25% increase from the previous year.
Beyond fatalities, work-related ill health in the construction sector is also a significant issue. An estimated 79,000 workers suffered from new or long-standing work-related ill health averaged over 2022/23 to 2024/25. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for 53% of these cases, impacting approximately 41,000 workers. This rate is notably higher than the all-industry average, with heavy manual handling, awkward postures, and repetitive tasks identified as major contributors.
Irish Construction Sector Sees Concerning Rise in Fatalities
In Ireland, the construction sector experienced a concerning increase in fatalities in 2025. Provisional figures from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) show that 10 construction workers died in work-related incidents, double the five deaths reported in 2024. This contributed to an overall sharp rise in work-related fatalities across all sectors in Ireland, with 58 deaths in 2025, up from 36 in 2024.
The HSA has emphasised that well-known incident triggers, such as machinery or vehicle incidents and falls from height, are not being adequately controlled, leading to these preventable deaths. In 2023, construction accounted for 11 fatalities, making it the second-highest sector for work-related deaths after agriculture.
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Enforcement actions by the HSA continue to target non-compliant sites. In 2023, the HSA conducted 2,119 inspections and investigations in the construction sector, issuing 144 prohibition notices and 37 improvement notices. Recent cases highlight the HSA's resolve, including a High Court order secured in July 2025 to stop works at a high-risk construction site in Kilcock, Co Kildare, due to serious risks to worker safety.
Regulatory Focus and Enforcement Actions
Both the HSE and HSA are actively pursuing enforcement actions against companies and individuals who fail to uphold safety standards. Recent HSE enforcement cases in the UK reveal ongoing, preventable failures, including inadequate risk assessments, poor control of work at height and excavations, and insufficient supervision. In one instance, a construction company was fined after workers were found in a deep excavation without proper risk assessment or a safe system of work. Another case saw a principal contractor prosecuted for missing edge protection, inadequate fire precautions, and poor site housekeeping.
Similarly, the HSA in Ireland has imposed substantial fines. In December 2025, a homebuilding company was fined €125,000 and a scaffolding company €65,000 following a fatal fall on a construction site. Directors and managers are increasingly being held personally liable, underscoring the need for strong compliance and oversight.
These regulatory bodies continue to underscore that every fatality is preventable and represents a failure in safety protocols. The emphasis remains on proactive risk management, thorough planning, and ensuring all employees are fully aware of and adhere to safety procedures.
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