UK Construction Sees 25 Fatalities in 2025/26, Falls from Height a Major Factor

The UK construction sector recorded 25 worker fatalities in 2025/26, making it the industry with the highest number of deaths in Great Britain. This figure is part of the 126 work-related deaths across all industries in Great Britain during the same period, as reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). While the overall number of work-related fatalities is provisionally the lowest since the coronavirus pandemic, the persistent high number in construction highlights ongoing challenges within the sector.

Falls from height continue to be the most common cause of fatal injury, accounting for 31 deaths across all industries in 2025/26, representing approximately a quarter of all worker fatalities. Other significant causes of death in the UK included being struck by moving vehicles and objects.

The HSE's annual data for 2024/25 also indicated that 124 workers were killed in work-related accidents in Great Britain, with construction accounting for 35 of these fatalities. Falls from height were responsible for 35 deaths in 2024/25, remaining the leading cause. The construction sector's fatal injury rate in 2024/25 was approximately five times higher than the all-industry average.

Irish Construction Fatalities Double in 2025, HSA Calls for Renewed Vigilance

In Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reported a concerning increase in construction fatalities in 2025, with 10 deaths recorded. This is double the five fatalities reported in 2024. The construction sector accounted for over 17% of all work-related deaths in Ireland in 2025, which totalled 58, a significant 61% increase from 36 in 2024. This rise has prompted the HSA to express deep concern and call for renewed vigilance.

Similar to the UK, falls from height, incidents involving machinery or vehicles, and being struck by falling objects were identified as the leading causes of workplace fatalities in Ireland. Mark Cullen, CEO of the HSA, emphasised that these incidents are preventable and can be managed through proper risk assessment, forward planning, and ensuring employees prioritise safe working behaviour.

Between 2015 and 2024, 70 construction workers died from falls from height across the island of Ireland. The HSA conducted 11,974 inspections and investigations in 2025, the highest number since 2007, with construction receiving the most inspections among all sectors.

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Legislative and Regulatory Developments

Both the UK and Ireland are seeing ongoing legislative and regulatory developments aimed at improving construction safety. In the UK, the Building Safety Act 2022 continues to drive changes, with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) transitioning to an independent body as of January 27, 2026. The Building Safety Levy is also set to be implemented in England on October 1, 2026, applying to developments with at least 10 new dwelling units. Furthermore, new requirements for second staircases in higher-risk buildings are expected to come into force from September 30, 2026.

The UK government is also expected to publish its Construction Products Reform White Paper in spring 2026, outlining ambitions for increased product safety and quality controls. The Construction Products (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective January 8, 2026, ensure the continued recognition of CE marking for construction products in the UK.

In Ireland, the Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (CSPAC) has developed an Action Plan for 2025-2027, focusing on promoting standardisation, good workplace practices, and resources to improve safety, health, and wellbeing in the construction sector. This plan aims to address continuing and new occupational safety and health challenges.

These statistics and regulatory changes underscore the critical need for robust health and safety training in the construction industry. Effective training programmes are essential for equipping workers and management with the knowledge and skills to identify hazards, implement preventative measures, and foster a strong safety culture on site. Prioritising comprehensive training can significantly contribute to reducing incidents and saving lives.

For more information on health and safety training, visit Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.