HSE Reports Sharp Increase in Workplace Fatalities and Injuries for 2023/24
London, UK – The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its provisional annual statistics for workplace fatalities and non-fatal injuries in Great Britain for the period 2023/24, revealing a concerning upward trend that demands immediate attention from employers and policymakers. The figures underscore the persistent challenges in maintaining robust health and safety standards across various industries.
According to the HSE's latest provisional data, a total of 135 workers were killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain during 2023/24. This represents a notable increase compared to the 131 fatalities recorded in 2022/23 and the 123 in 2021/22. While long-term trends have shown a decline in fatal injuries, this recent uptick is a stark reminder that complacency has no place in workplace safety.
The construction sector continues to be the most dangerous, accounting for 45 fatal injuries, followed by agriculture, forestry, and fishing with 21 fatalities, and manufacturing with 18. These sectors consistently feature at the top of the fatality list, highlighting the inherent risks and the critical need for targeted interventions and stricter adherence to safety protocols.
Non-Fatal Injuries Remain High, Musculoskeletal Disorders Dominate
Beyond the tragic fatalities, the HSE's report also sheds light on the extensive impact of non-fatal injuries and work-related ill health. While comprehensive statistics for non-fatal injuries for 2023/24 are still being compiled, previous years' data indicate a persistent high volume. For 2022/23, an estimated 561,000 working people sustained a non-fatal injury at work. Of these, 102,000 were reported under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013).
The most common types of non-fatal injuries reported included slips, trips, and falls on the same level (29%), handling, lifting, or carrying (18%), and being struck by a moving object (10%). These figures align with previous years, indicating that fundamental safety practices, such as good housekeeping, proper manual handling techniques, and effective traffic management, remain crucial areas for improvement.
Furthermore, the HSE's ongoing Labour Force Survey (LFS) data consistently shows that work-related ill health continues to be a significant burden. In 2022/23, an estimated 1.8 million working people were suffering from work-related ill health. Stress, depression, or anxiety accounted for 51% of all work-related ill health cases, with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) making up 27%.
The financial cost of these injuries and illnesses is staggering. In 2021/22, the estimated cost of work-related injuries and new cases of ill health to Great Britain was £20.7 billion, a substantial increase from £18.8 billion in the pre-pandemic year of 2019/20. This financial burden includes lost productivity, healthcare costs, and human suffering, underscoring the economic as well as moral imperative for robust safety management.
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Regulatory Response and Industry Responsibility
In response to these concerning figures, the HSE has reiterated its commitment to enforcing health and safety legislation and providing guidance to businesses. HSE Chief Executive, Sarah Albon, commented, "Every fatality is a tragedy, and these statistics serve as a stark reminder of the importance of managing risk effectively. While we have made significant progress over decades, these figures show there is still much to do. We continue to focus our interventions on the areas that cause the most harm, working with employers and workers to ensure that everyone can go home safe and well."
The HSE continues to conduct targeted inspections and investigations, issuing enforcement notices and prosecuting organisations and individuals where serious breaches of health and safety law are identified. In 2022/23, the HSE issued 7,720 enforcement notices and prosecuted 153 cases, leading to fines totalling £21.7 million.
Industry bodies and employers are urged to review their current safety management systems, risk assessments, and training programmes in light of these statistics. A proactive approach to identifying and mitigating hazards, fostering a strong safety culture, and ensuring adequate supervision are critical steps to reverse the recent upward trend in incidents. The legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and specific regulations like RIDDOR place a clear duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees and others who may be affected by their work activities.
These latest HSE statistics serve as a powerful call to action for all stakeholders in Great Britain and Ireland to redouble their efforts in preventing workplace accidents and ill health. Continuous vigilance, effective training, and a commitment to safety from the top down are essential to protect lives and livelihoods.
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