Workplace Safety: A Mixed Picture Across UK and Ireland
Recent reports from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland paint a complex picture of workplace safety, with some areas showing improvement while others highlight persistent challenges. While Great Britain saw a slight increase in workplace fatalities, Ireland recorded a rise in non-fatal incidents. Mental health issues continue to be a prominent concern in both regions.
Great Britain: Fatalities Edge Up, Mental Health Crisis Deepens
The HSE's provisional annual figures for 2023/24 indicate that 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents in Great Britain, a slight increase of two fatalities from the previous year (136). This figure suggests that, despite long-term downward trends, workplace safety has not significantly improved over the last decade, with fatalities remaining broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels.
The construction industry continues to be a high-risk sector, accounting for 51 fatalities in 2023/24, an increase of four from the previous year. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing also remain highly hazardous, with 23 fatal injuries, and a fatality rate 21 times higher than the average across all industries. Falls from height, being struck by a moving vehicle, and being struck by moving objects consistently rank as the top three causes of fatal injuries, collectively accounting for over half of all fatal accidents.
Beyond fatalities, work-related ill health remains a substantial problem. An estimated 1.7 million workers suffered from work-related ill health in 2023/24. Of particular concern is the rise in mental health issues, with approximately 776,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2023/24. This figure, while a decrease from the 910,000 cases in 2022/23, is still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Work-related ill health and injuries led to an estimated 33.7 million working days lost in Great Britain during 2023/24.
Ireland: Non-Fatal Incidents Rise, Fatalities Decline
In Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reported a decrease in work-related fatalities for 2024, with 36 deaths, a welcome decline from the 43 recorded in the previous year. The fatality rate per 100,000 workers reached a record low of 1.2, the lowest since the HSA's inception in 1989. The construction sector experienced a notable 50% reduction in fatalities, dropping from 10 deaths in 2023 to five in 2024. Similarly, the agricultural sector saw a 40% decrease, though it continues to be one of the highest-risk industries.
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However, the HSA's Annual Review of Workplace Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities for 2023–2024 also highlighted a concerning trend in non-fatal incidents. There were 10,441 non-fatal workplace incidents reported to the HSA in 2024, representing a 3% increase from 2023 and 14% higher than the previous five-year average. This rise is partly attributed to increased employment levels following COVID-19 related business closures.
The Human Health and Social Work Activities sector recorded the highest number of non-fatal incidents among workers, accounting for 24% of all worker-related incidents. Education saw the most non-worker injuries, at 40%. Manual handling was identified as the most common trigger for non-fatal incidents in 2024, underscoring the need for proper ergonomic training. Lost working time remains significant, with 688,000 days lost due to injuries and 1,330,000 days due to illnesses in 2023, both well above historical averages.
Economic and Societal Impact
The economic cost of workplace injuries and new cases of work-related ill health in Great Britain reached an estimated £22.9 billion in 2023/24. These figures highlight the substantial financial burden placed on businesses and the wider economy, in addition to the profound human cost of these incidents. The persistent challenges in occupational safety and health underscore the ongoing need for robust regulatory oversight, effective risk management strategies, and continuous improvement in workplace safety standards.
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