The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its annual statistics for 2024/25. Although the number of fatalities was slightly lower than last year, alarmingly, mental health-related conditions dominate the report. The report serves as a reminder that workplace safety remains a critical issue, not just for the economy but also for ordinary families. These figures are not just statistics—they represent real people, with real families who are all impacted by workplace incidents, often with devastating consequences. Consideration should also be given to the under-reporting of incidents, as these figures may not represent the actual reality.
Key Statistics
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124 fatalities (a decrease of 14 from 2024)
(92 members of the public were also killed as a result of work-related accidents) -
1.9m workers sustained work-related ill-health (with mental health issues making up 52%)
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700,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries
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40m working days lost
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£23bn cost to the economy
Breakdown of Fatalities
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Construction industry: 35 deaths
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Agriculture, forestry and fishing: 23 deaths
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Transport and storage: 15 deaths
Causes of Death
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Falls from height
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Struck by moving vehicle
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Trapped under collapsing/overturning objects
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Struck by moving object
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Contact with moving machinery
Whilst fatalities grab the headlines, non-fatal injuries are far more prevalent, with slips, trips and falls, and manual handling injuries representing a high proportion of the non-fatal figures. Two trends are worryingly on the increase: workplace violence and mental health issues. In part, this increase can be explained by greater awareness and a greater willingness to raise concerns, which reflects employers offering a more open and supportive environment.
What Does This Mean for Employees?
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Sickness absence, leading to loss of income
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Impact on families (e.g., parents unable to spend leisure time or play with their children)
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Impact on family finances, leading to debts and worries
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Impact on mental health
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Increased absences
What Is the Impact on Businesses?
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Workers unable to perform duties
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Remaining workers having to cover absent colleagues by undertaking more duties
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Stretched resources leading to increased risks caused by work pressure and fatigue
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Missed deadlines affecting customer satisfaction
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Employers having to operate overtime/pay more to complete orders
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Rushed work potentially affecting quality or causing damage to equipment
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Risks of HSE fines and civil personal injury claims
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Increased insurance premiums
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Inability to recruit staff
What Can Employers Do?
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Adopt a proactive approach to health and safety, with an open and approachable culture for raising, discussing and dealing with HS matters
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Involve staff and consult them on all HS matters, including providing training and information
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Ensure you have adequate health and safety policies and procedures, with risk assessments that are reasonable, suitable and regularly reviewed (including mental health and stress management)
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Focus on high-risk activities
A little thought and pre-planning can prevent incidents, injuries and fatalities. Failure to take any, or reasonable, care can have devastating consequences for the business, the employee and their families. Around 20 years ago, a road worker failed to follow simple safety rules and was seriously injured at work. After a period of absence, he eventually lost his job. His wife became the breadwinner but struggled to care for her husband, raise their 14-year-old daughter and maintain a full-time job. Unfortunately, she developed depression, resorted to alcohol and became unable to care for her daughter. The daughter was taken into care by the local authority. Six months later she went missing. Her body was discovered a few days later—she had committed suicide by hanging herself under a railway bridge.
Quest can advise and guide you on your mandatory safety requirements to remain compliant. We can also offer bespoke services for all your safety policies and procedures.
