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. This highlights a persistent risk that the construction sector must address, as falls from height were responsible for 50 fatalities in 2023/24, 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. In 2023/24, 1.7 million working people suffered from a work-related illness across all sectors in Great Britain. The construction sector recorded the highest number of all work-related fatalities in 2023/24, with 51 out of 138 deaths occurring in the industry. This is in comparison with an annual average of 42 fatalities over a five-year period.
Irish Construction Sector: Progress and Ongoing Vigilance
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.
However, 2024 saw a significant reduction in construction sector fatalities, with a 50% decline from 10 fatalities in 2023 to 5 in 2024. This contributed to Ireland recording its lowest-ever rate of work-related fatalities in 2024, with 33 deaths across all sectors, a reduction of almost a quarter on 2023 figures. Vehicle-related incidents (10 fatalities), incidents involving heavy/falling objects (6 fatalities), and falls from height (5 fatalities) were the leading causes of work-related fatalities in 2024, accounting for 64% of all fatalities.
Regulatory Responses and Enforcement Actions
Both the UK and Ireland are implementing and evolving regulatory frameworks to enhance construction safety. In the UK, the Building Safety Act 2022, which gained Royal Assent in April 2022, represents a significant legislative overhaul. This Act aims to strengthen the regulatory system for building safety, particularly for higher-risk buildings, and introduces new responsibilities for duty holders. Key elements, such as the enforcement of regulations for duty holders, came into force in October 2023, with further requirements for higher-risk buildings in 2024.
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 take enforcement action against companies failing to meet safety standards. For example, a West Midlands-based construction company was fined in April 2026 after repeated failures at four different construction sites, including inadequate welfare provision. The company failed to provide hot or warm water in toilets and suitable rest facilities, breaching Regulation 13 (4)(c) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
In Ireland, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 291 of 2013) remain the primary legislative framework. The HSA has intensified its inspection efforts, particularly in high-risk industries like construction. Recent prosecutions in Ireland have resulted in significant fines for construction safety breaches. Three companies received a total of €190,000 in fines in one year for incidents often involving falls from height and inadequate site management. The HSA's prosecution records show a consistent pattern of inadequate supervision and a failure to implement well-established controls for obvious risks, such as reversing vehicles on sites with pedestrians.
The Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, in conjunction with the HSA, published a 2025-2027 Action Plan in July 2025, pushing for safer sites and clearer accountability. This plan emphasises continued HSA inspections, consistent application of standards, and shared responsibility for safety across all project stakeholders, with particular attention to smaller contractors and self-employed workers.
For those seeking comprehensive health and safety training to meet these evolving standards, Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk offers a range of courses designed to equip workers and management with the necessary knowledge and skills.