Concerning Trends in Workplace Safety Across the UK and Ireland
Recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland highlight mixed but concerning trends in workplace safety. While Great Britain saw an increase in work-related fatalities, Ireland experienced a rise in non-fatal injuries, underscoring the persistent challenges in ensuring safe working environments across both regions.
Great Britain Sees Rise in Fatalities for 2023/24
Provisional data released by the HSE indicates a worrying increase in workplace fatalities in Great Britain for the period 2023/24. A total of 138 workers lost their lives due to work-related accidents, marking an increase from 136 in the previous year (2022/23). This figure is provisional and will be finalised in July 2025. The construction sector continues to be a high-risk area, accounting for 51 fatalities in 2023/24, an increase of 4 from the previous year. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing also saw a disproportionately high number of fatalities, with 23 deaths. The most common causes of fatal injuries included falls from height, being struck by a moving vehicle, and being struck by a moving object.
Beyond fatalities, the HSE's 2024/25 statistics reveal that an estimated 680,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury in the workplace, an increase from 604,000 in 2023/24. This represents a 12.6% rise and marks a six-year high for workplace injuries. However, employer-reported non-fatal injuries under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) actually fell from 61,663 to 59,219, suggesting that the increase is largely in lower-severity incidents that don't trigger formal reporting requirements, or that workers are becoming more open about reporting issues than employers. The top causes of non-fatal injuries remain consistent: slips, trips or falls on the same level (30%), handling, lifting or carrying (17%), and being struck by a moving object (10%).
Work-related ill health also remains a significant concern, with an estimated 1.9 million workers suffering from an illness believed to be caused or worsened by work in 2024/25. This is an increase from 1.7 million in the previous year and is the highest on record, with rates remaining stubbornly high and above pre-pandemic levels. Stress, depression, or anxiety accounted for 964,000 cases, highlighting the growing mental health challenges in the workplace. These issues collectively led to an estimated 40.1 million working days lost in 2024/25.
Irish Workplace Non-Fatal Injuries on the Rise, Fatalities Decline
In Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reported a decrease in work-related fatalities for 2024, with 36 fatal incidents, down 16% from the 43 recorded in 2023. The rate of fatal incidents has shown a positive long-term decline, from 2.6 per 100,000 workers in 2004 to 1.3 in 2024. Despite this overall decrease, the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing sector continues to be the most dangerous, accounting for 33% of all fatal incidents in 2024.
However, the HSA's Annual Review of Workplace Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities for 2023–2024 reveals an increase in non-fatal workplace incidents. In 2024, 10,441 non-fatal injuries were reported to the HSA, a 3% increase from 2023 and 14% higher than the previous five-year average. The Human Health and Social Work Activities sector recorded the highest number of these incidents among workers, while Education saw the most non-worker injuries. Manual handling was identified as the most common trigger for non-fatal incidents.
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Lost working time due to injuries and illnesses remains substantial in Ireland. In 2023, 688,000 days were lost due to work-related injuries, a 26% increase on the five-year average. Work-related illnesses accounted for an even higher 1,330,000 lost days in 2023. Illness rates among females have more than doubled since 2019, rising from 9.7 to 22.4 per 1,000 workers in 2024.
The Broader Impact and Call for Action
These statistics from both the HSE and HSA underscore the ongoing importance of robust health and safety management. While some long-term improvements are evident, particularly in the rate of fatal incidents in Ireland, the persistent challenges of rising non-fatal injuries and work-related ill health in both regions demand continuous vigilance and proactive measures from employers and employees alike. The economic impact of these incidents is also significant, with the estimated annual cost of workplace injuries and new cases of work-related ill health in Great Britain reaching £22.9 billion in 2023/24.
Regulators continue to emphasize the need for employers to prioritize compliance with known and emerging risks. This includes proper ergonomic training, effective risk assessments, and comprehensive strategies to address mental health in the workplace. The data serves as a stark reminder that behind every statistic is an individual whose safety and well-being are paramount.
For further training and resources on workplace health and safety, businesses can consult Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.