The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the latest annual statistics for work-related fatalities in Great Britain.
The health and safety watchdog has revealed that a total of 124 workers died in work-related incidents between April 2024 and March 2025, which is a decrease of 14 from the previous year.
Two decades ago, in 2004-2005, the HSE recorded 223 work-related fatalities, while in 1981 there were 495.
This highlights the benefits and importance of workplace health and safety legislation and regulation, and shows that Britain continues to be “one of the safest places in the world to work.”
Although the number of work-related fatalities has fallen, and remains broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels, the HSE warns against health and safety complacency and stresses that every death “represents a tragedy for families, friends and communities.”
Sectors with highest number of work-related fatalities
During 2024-2025, the industries with the highest number of work-related fatalities were construction (35), and agriculture, forestry and fishing (23).
The sectors with the highest rate of work-related fatalities per 100,000 workers were agriculture, forestry and fishing, followed by waste and recycling.
The most common cause of fatal injuries at work last year, and in previous years, was falls from a height, resulting in the tragic death of 35 workers. This accounts for over a quarter of work-related fatalities during 2024-2025.
Other common causes of workplace fatal injuries were being struck by a moving object (18) and trapped by something collapsing or overturning (17).
In addition to the workers who lost their lives, a further 92 members of the public who were not at work themselves were also killed in work-related incidents last year.
Work-related cancer deaths
There were also 2,218 mesothelioma deaths in 2023 as a result of past exposures to asbestos at work. This represents a fall of 62 deaths from 2022, and is significantly lower than the average of 2,508 deaths per year over the 10-year period from 2011-2020.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer caused by past exposure to harmful asbestos fibres. It has a long latency period and current mesothelioma deaths relate to asbestos exposure that often occurred before the 1980s. Annual deaths from mesothelioma are expected to continue to decline over the next decade. The use of asbestos was banned in Britain in 1999.
The Chief Executive of the HSE, Sarah Albon, said:
“Despite the stability in numbers, we cannot accept that fatal accidents are an inevitable part of working life. We are encouraged by the long-term trend but urge against complacency on workplace safety.
“Our practical and proportionate guidance is available for free on our website, and further support is available if needed.”
Training helps combat work-related fatalities
First Response Training (FRT) is one of the UK’s largest and leading national training providers.
They deliver a wide and diverse range of training for businesses and organisations across all industry sectors and throughout the UK. Their course range includes training in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, mental health, food safety, health and social care and more.
Their health and safety training is mapped to UK standards and legislation and follows HSE guidelines. The portfolio includes courses such as Health and Safety, Managing Health and Safety, Risk Assessment, Accident and Incident Investigation, Working at Height, Asbestos Awareness and many more.
Based on a common sense, proportionate approach to workplace safety, training helps learners to understand the true benefits of creating a healthy and safe environment at work.
A trainer from FRT explains:
“We believe in creating safer working environments with people who care.
“Any life lost at work is one too many and we must continue to be vigilant about health and safety standards and ensure we are providing suitable and sufficient training for our staff as well as appropriate control measures, safe systems of work and procedures to protect them from harm and significantly reduce work-related fatalities across all sectors.”
For more information on any of the training courses that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or e-mail info@firstresponsetraining.com.