The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its latest Work-related Fatal Injuries in Great Britain statistics, revealing that 126 workers lost their lives in workplace accidents during 2025/26.
While this represents one of the lowest annual totals on record outside the pandemic years, every fatality represents a person who never returned home from work. Behind every statistic is a family, colleagues and a community affected by an entirely preventable tragedy.
The figures provide encouraging evidence that workplace safety standards continue to improve across Great Britain. However, they also highlight persistent risks that employers must continue to address through effective health and safety management.
Key findings from the latest HSE statistics: 2025/26 HSE Fatal Injury Headlines
| Statistic | 2025/26 |
|---|---|
| Worker fatalities | 126 |
| Members of the public killed in work-related incidents | 104 |
| Great Britain’s long-term trend | ↓ Continuing downward |
| HSE status | Provisional statistics |
Source: HSE Work-related Fatal Injuries in Great Britain 2025/26.
Although these figures represent significant progress compared with previous decades—when annual workplace fatalities regularly exceeded 400—the pace of improvement has slowed in recent years. This suggests that further reductions will require organisations to focus on the quality of their safety culture rather than relying solely on compliance.
Which industries remain at greatest risk?
Some sectors continue to experience disproportionately high numbers of fatal injuries.
Worker Fatalities by Industry
| Industry | Fatalities |
|---|---|
| Construction | 25 |
| Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing | 22 |
| Manufacturing | 18 |
| Transportation & Storage | 15 |
| Wholesale, Retail, Motor Repair, Accommodation & Food | 11 |
| Waste & Recycling | 6 |
| Other Industries | 29 |
| Total | 126 |
Construction remains the sector with the highest number of fatalities, while Agriculture continues to record the highest fatal injury rate per 100,000 workers.
Construction continues to record the highest number of fatalities, although the sector has seen a welcome reduction compared with previous years. Agriculture, however, continues to experience the highest fatal injury rate per 100,000 workers, underlining the importance of robust risk management in higher-risk industries.
Falls from height remain the leading killer
Despite ongoing awareness campaigns and improvements in equipment, falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace deaths.
Leading Causes of Fatal Workplace Accidents
| Accident Type | Fatalities |
|---|---|
| Falls from height | 31 |
| Struck by moving vehicle | 24 |
| Struck by moving object | 21 |
| Trapped by collapsing/overturning object | 18 |
| Contact with moving machinery | 10 |
| Other accident types | 22 |
| Total | 126 |
This table reinforces one of the article’s key messages—that familiar risks continue to account for the majority of workplace deaths.
Many of these incidents are entirely foreseeable and, more importantly, preventable.
Simple controls such as proper planning, competent supervision, suitable access equipment, effective vehicle segregation and regular maintenance continue to offer some of the greatest opportunities to reduce fatal risk.
Older workers continue to be disproportionately affected
One notable finding is the age profile of those involved in fatal accidents.
Workers aged 60 and over accounted for approximately one-third of all workplace fatalities, despite representing a much smaller proportion of the overall workforce.
As the UK’s workforce continues to age, employers should consider whether existing risk assessments adequately account for factors such as mobility, fatigue, physical capability and health conditions, particularly in physically demanding roles.
Statistics should drive action—not complacency
Although Great Britain remains one of the safest places in the world to work, these figures should never be viewed as a reason to relax health and safety standards.
Why Employers Should Pay Attention
| Key Finding | Why it Matters |
|---|---|
| Falls from height remain the leading cause | Prioritise work at height planning, equipment and supervision |
| Construction records the most fatalities | Continue strong site management and contractor controls |
| Agriculture has the highest fatality rate | Review lone working, machinery and vehicle risks |
| Older workers remain over-represented | Consider age when reviewing risk assessments |
| Britain remains among the safest countries to work | Continue improving safety culture—not just legal compliance |
These are not emerging risks—they are well understood. The challenge lies in ensuring that suitable controls are consistently implemented, monitored and reviewed.
A strong safety management system is about more than meeting legal requirements. It creates safer workplaces, reduces disruption, protects reputation and demonstrates a genuine commitment to employees’ wellbeing.
What employers should review now
The publication of the HSE’s annual statistics provides an ideal opportunity for organisations to review their own health and safety performance.
Employer Health & Safety Checklist
| ✔ Review Area | Completed? |
|---|---|
| Risk assessments reviewed in last 12 months | ☐ |
| Working at Height controls audited | ☐ |
| Workplace transport risks reviewed | ☐ |
| Employee training refreshed | ☐ |
| Near misses investigated | ☐ |
| Contractors assessed and monitored | ☐ |
| Directors reviewing H&S performance | ☐ |
Often, a proactive review identifies opportunities for improvement long before an incident occurs.
How Outsource Safety can help
At Outsource Safety, we work with organisations across a wide range of industries to develop practical, proportionate health and safety management systems that support both compliance and operational performance.
Whether you require competent health and safety advice, risk assessments, policy development, audits, inspections or ongoing retained consultancy support, our aim is simple: helping businesses prevent incidents before they happen.
The latest HSE statistics remind us that while workplace safety has improved dramatically over recent decades, there is still work to do. Every employer has a role to play in ensuring that everyone goes home safely at the end of every working day.
If you would like to review your current arrangements or discuss how we can support your organisation, please get in touch with the Outsource Safety team.
