UK Construction Fatalities See Concerning Rise

The UK construction industry recorded a significant increase in fatalities during the 2023/24 reporting period, with 51 deaths, up from 47 the previous year. This figure represents over a third of the total 138 workplace fatalities across all sectors in the UK, according to new data released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The construction sector's fatal injury rate is approximately five times higher than the average rate across all industries.

Falls from height continue to be the leading cause of fatal injuries, accounting for 35 of the 124 deaths across all industries in the 2024/25 provisional figures. This was followed by being struck by a moving vehicle or object. The average number of worker deaths in construction in the last two years is statistically significantly higher than the pre-pandemic period (2016/17 – 2018/19), with a five-year average of 40 deaths per year.

Looking ahead, provisional figures for April 2024 to March 2025 indicate a reduction in overall worker deaths in Great Britain to 124, with construction accounting for 35 of these, a decrease from 50 in the previous year. However, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has expressed serious concerns over these numbers, urging immediate action to reduce workplace deaths.

Ireland Achieves Record Low in 2024, But 2025 Sees Uptick

In contrast to the UK, Ireland achieved its lowest-ever rate of work-related fatalities in 2024, with provisional data from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reporting 33 deaths. This marked a reduction of almost a quarter compared to 2023, which saw 43 fatalities. The fatality rate per 100,000 workers fell from 2.7 in 2015 to 1.2 in 2024, marking the fewest work-related deaths since the HSA's establishment in 1989.

The construction sector in Ireland saw a significant decline in fatalities in 2024, dropping by 50% from 10 deaths in 2023 to 5. However, provisional figures for 2025 indicate an increase, with 10 construction workers dying in work-related incidents, doubling the 2024 figure. Despite this rise, the 2025 figure remains below the 11 construction deaths recorded in 2023. Vehicle-related incidents (10 fatalities), incidents involving heavy/falling objects (6 fatalities) and falling from height (5 fatalities) were the leading causes of work-related fatalities in Ireland in 2024, accounting for 64% of all fatalities.

The HSA's 2023-2024 Annual Review of Workplace Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities highlighted that in 2024, there were 10,441 non-fatal incidents reported, a 3% increase from 2023. This increase is likely due to increased levels of employment following COVID-19 related business closures. The construction sector had 730 reports of non-fatal injuries, representing 7% of the overall number.

Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see fire safety instructor training or explore conflict management trainer courses for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.

Regulatory Focus and Future Outlook

Both the UK and Ireland are implementing and strengthening regulations to enhance construction site safety. In the UK, significant transformations are underway, with the 2025 construction safety laws introducing criminal liability for site managers through the Building Safety Act. This act mandates enhanced fire safety systems for buildings over 11 metres and requires terrorism risk assessments for publicly accessible construction sites under Martyn's Law. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR), operated by HSE, is introducing new requirements, particularly for higher-risk buildings, including a 'gateway' system of three checkpoints (planning, pre-construction, completion) and digital record-keeping requirements for building information throughout the lifecycle (the 'golden thread').

Ireland's construction safety is governed by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and, more specifically, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 291 of 2013). These regulations impose specific obligations on duty holders, including clients, designers, and contractors, to plan, manage, and coordinate health and safety throughout project phases. The HSA's Programme of Work for 2024 focuses on proactive inspections and targeted campaigns in high-risk sectors like construction.

The shift from a 'tick-box' paperwork exercise to a behavioural audit is a significant change for site managers in Ireland in 2026, with an emphasis on integrating technical requirements like GA1 testing and daily plant inspections into routine. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 also addresses the validity of safety awareness registration cards.

These evolving regulatory landscapes underscore the continuous need for comprehensive safety training and adherence to best practices to mitigate risks and protect workers. For those seeking to enhance their knowledge and compliance in construction site safety, Abertay Training offers a range of accredited courses and resources. More information can be found at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.