UK Workplace Fatalities See Uptick in 2023/24
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its annual statistics for Great Britain for the period 2023/24, showing a slight increase in the number of workers killed in work-related accidents. A total of 138 workers lost their lives, an increase of two fatalities from the previous year's figure of 136. These provisional figures, set to be finalised in July 2025, indicate that workplaces in Great Britain are no safer than they were a decade ago, with fatalities remaining broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels.
The most common causes of fatal accidents in Great Britain continue to be falls from height, being struck by a moving vehicle, and being struck by moving objects, collectively accounting for approximately two-thirds of all workplace fatalities. Construction, agriculture, forestry, and fishing, along with manufacturing, were the three sectors that accounted for around 65% of fatal injuries in 2023/24. The construction sector alone saw 51 deaths, an increase of four from the previous year. The agricultural sector continues to have a disproportionately high fatal injury rate, 21 times higher than the average across all industries.
Work-Related Ill Health and Economic Impact in Great Britain
Beyond fatalities, the HSE statistics also highlight the significant impact of work-related ill health. In 2023/24, an estimated 1.7 million workers suffered from work-related ill health, a slight decrease from 1.8 million in the previous year but still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Stress, depression, or anxiety remain a major concern, affecting around 776,000 workers in 2023/24. This mental health burden led to 16.4 million working days lost, a reduction from the previous year but still above pre-pandemic figures. Musculoskeletal disorders affected 543,000 workers.
The economic cost of workplace injuries and new cases of ill health in Great Britain remains substantial. In 2022/23, the estimated annual cost was £21.6 billion. This figure represents the costs borne by individuals, government, and employers, underscoring the broad societal impact of poor health and safety practices.
Ireland Reports Significant Decline in Workplace Fatalities
In contrast to the UK, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland has reported a significant decrease in work-related fatalities for 2024. There were 33 work-related fatalities, a notable reduction from 43 in 2023. This marks a record low fatality rate of 1.2 per 100,000 workers, the lowest since the HSA's inception in 1989.
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The construction sector in Ireland experienced a 50% reduction in fatalities, dropping from 10 deaths in 2023 to five in 2024. Similarly, the agricultural sector saw a 40% decrease, with fatalities falling from 20 in 2023 to 12 in 2024. Despite these improvements, agriculture remains one of the highest-risk industries in Ireland. Vehicle-related incidents, accidents involving heavy or falling objects, and falls from height were identified as the primary contributors to work-related fatalities in Ireland. Self-employed workers accounted for 18 of the 33 deaths.
Non-Fatal Incidents and Lost Working Time in Ireland
While fatal incidents saw a positive trend in Ireland, non-fatal workplace incidents reported to the HSA increased by 3% in 2024, reaching 10,441. This is 14% higher than the five-year average. The Human Health and Social Work Activities sector recorded the highest number of incidents among workers, accounting for 24% of all worker-related incidents. Manual handling was identified as the most common trigger for non-fatal incidents.
Lost working time due to injuries and illnesses remains a significant issue in Ireland. In 2023, 688,000 days were lost due to work-related injuries, a 26% increase on the five-year average. Even more substantially, 1,330,000 days were lost due to work-related illness in 2023. Illness rates among females more than doubled since 2019, rising from 9.7 to 22.4 per 1,000 workers in 2024.
These statistics from both the HSE and HSA underscore the ongoing importance of robust health and safety management in all workplaces. Employers and employees alike must remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and mitigating risks to prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. For comprehensive health and safety training solutions tailored to various industries, Abertay Training offers a range of courses designed to meet regulatory requirements and foster a safer working environment. Visit https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk for more information.