UK Construction Sees Concerning Rise in Fatalities
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).
Falls from height continue to be the leading cause of fatal injuries, accounting for 50 of the 138 deaths across all industries in 2023/24. This was followed by being struck by a moving vehicle or object. The fatal injury rate in construction stands at 1.96 per 100,000 workers, approximately 4.9 times higher than the all-industry rate. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has expressed serious concerns over these numbers, urging immediate action to reduce workplace deaths.
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 five-year average for construction worker deaths remains at 40 per year.
Ireland Achieves Record Low in Work-Related Fatalities for 2024, But 2025 Sees Uptick in Construction
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. The fatality rate per 100,000 workers fell from 2.7 in 2015 to 1.2 in 2024.
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, heavy/falling objects, and falls from height 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. The construction sector had the highest rates of work-related injuries leading to four or more days of absence from work. Musculoskeletal disorders were the most common type of work-related illness in construction.
Regulatory Focus and Enforcement
UK Regulatory Landscape
The UK is experiencing significant changes in construction safety laws, with 2025 being a pivotal year. These changes include criminal liability for site managers through the Building Safety Act, enhanced fire safety systems for buildings over 11 metres, and the upcoming requirement for terrorism risk assessments for publicly accessible construction sites under Martyn's Law. The Building Safety Act 2022 aims to establish robust safety standards throughout a building's design, construction, and occupation phases, particularly for higher-risk buildings (HRBs) which are at least 18 metres high, or seven storeys tall, and contain at least two residential units.
Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see confined space trainer courses or explore DSE assessor training for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.
The HSE continues to prosecute companies for safety breaches. Recent cases include a £1.2 million fine for a construction firm after a worker suffered life-changing injuries from a fall from height, and a Manchester-based company fined £8,000 after a joiner was paralysed following a skylight fall. Construction companies are commonly fined for falls from height, poor supervision, inadequate risk assessments, unsafe use of access equipment, and insufficient employee training. Furthermore, over £1 million in penalties has been issued to construction-related businesses for hiring illegal workers.
Irish Regulatory Landscape
Ireland's fire safety framework saw changes on May 1, 2025, with the Building Regulations (Part B Amendment) Regulations 2024 and the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2025 taking effect. These regulations expanded the requirements for Fire Safety Certificates and updated definitions for various building types.
The HSA remains committed to enforcing health and safety legislation, with fines for non-compliance ranging from thousands to millions of euros. A Dublin construction firm was fined €250,000 after an accident resulted in severe injury to a worker due to neglected safety protocols while working at heights. Another company was fined €180,000 for breaches in health and safety legislation after an employee fell 6m from a farm building during a re-roofing project. In July 2026, Glenveagh Contracting Limited was fined €125,000 and KDK Scaffolding Limited Company €65,000 following a fatal incident in December 2019.
The Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, in conjunction with the HSA, published its 2025-2027 Action Plan in July 2025, aiming for safer sites and clearer accountability. The plan emphasises active inspections and consistent standards, with a particular focus on smaller contractors and self-employed workers who constitute over 92% of construction businesses in Ireland.
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