GB Workplace Fatalities See Slight Increase, Ill Health Remains High

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its annual statistics for Great Britain for 2023/24, indicating a slight increase in worker fatalities and persistently high levels of work-related ill health. A total of 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents between April 2023 and March 2024, an increase of two deaths from the previous year's figure of 136.

While the long-term trend for fatal injuries shows a downward trajectory since 1981, the current figures suggest little to no progress has been made in reducing fatalities over the past decade, with numbers broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels. The fatal injury rate for 2023/24 stands at 0.42 deaths per 100,000 workers.

Work-related ill health continues to be a significant concern, with an estimated 1.7 million working people suffering from a work-related illness in 2023/24. Approximately 776,000 of these cases were attributed to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, a decrease from 910,000 in 2022/23 but still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Musculoskeletal disorders also saw an increase, affecting 543,000 workers, up by 70,000 from the previous year.

These illnesses and injuries resulted in an estimated 33.7 million working days lost in 2023/24. The economic impact is substantial, with the estimated annual cost of workplace injury and new cases of ill health reaching £21.6 billion in 2022/23. This figure is slightly lower than the £22.9 billion reported for 2023/24.

Key Sectors and Causes of Fatalities in GB

  • Around two-thirds (65%) of fatal injuries in 2023/24 occurred in three industry sectors: construction (51 deaths), agriculture, forestry and fishing (23 deaths), and manufacturing (16 deaths).
  • The construction sector's fatal injury rate is approximately five times higher than the average across all industries.
  • Agriculture, forestry, and fishing have a fatal injury rate 21 times higher than the average.
  • The most common causes of fatal accidents were falls from height, being struck by a moving vehicle, and being struck by a moving object, accounting for around two-thirds of all workplace fatalities.
  • Men accounted for 95% of work-related fatal injuries, and workers aged 60 and over were disproportionately affected, making up 34% of fatalities despite being only 11% of the workforce.

Ireland Achieves Record Low in Workplace Fatalities for 2024

In contrast to Great Britain, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland has reported a significant decline in work-related fatalities for 2024, reaching a record low. A total of 33 people lost their lives in work-related incidents, a decrease of almost a quarter compared to the 43 fatalities recorded in 2023. This marks the lowest fatality rate per 100,000 workers (1.2) since the HSA's inception in 1989.

Despite this positive trend, the agricultural sector continues to be the highest-risk industry, accounting for 12 fatalities in 2024, down from 20 in 2023. The construction sector saw a notable 50% reduction in fatalities, dropping from 10 deaths in 2023 to 5 in 2024.

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However, the HSA's annual review for 2023-2024 also highlighted persistent challenges in non-fatal incidents. There were 10,441 non-fatal workplace incidents reported in 2024, a 3% increase from 2023 and 14% above the five-year average. The Human Health and Social Work Activities sector recorded the highest number of these incidents (24%). Manual handling was identified as the most common trigger for non-fatal incidents.

Lost working time due to injuries and illnesses remains substantial, with 688,000 days lost to injuries and 1,330,000 days lost to illnesses in 2023. Illness rates among females more than doubled since 2019, reaching 22.4 per 1,000 workers in 2024.

Addressing the Challenges: A Call for Continued Vigilance

Both the HSE and HSA data underscore the ongoing need for robust health and safety measures across all industries. While Ireland's progress in reducing fatalities is commendable, the increase in non-fatal incidents suggests that continuous effort is required to ensure comprehensive workplace safety.

For Great Britain, the stagnation in fatality reduction and the high prevalence of work-related ill health, particularly mental health issues, highlight areas requiring renewed focus. The HSE's strategy for the next decade includes a specific emphasis on reducing work-related ill health, with a particular focus on mental health and stress.

Employers in both regions are legally obliged to report workplace injuries and illnesses, enabling regulatory bodies to monitor trends and implement targeted interventions. The data serves as a critical evidence base for strategies and campaigns aimed at protecting workers' well-being. The figures remind us that behind every statistic is an individual whose safety and health are paramount. Vigilance and proactive planning are crucial to further lowering incident rates and fostering healthier, safer working environments.

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