The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive show 124 workers were killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain in the year to March 2025 – a decrease of fourteen from the previous 12-month period. The number of deaths remains broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels, and compares with 223 twenty years ago (2004/05) and 495 in 1981.

The most common cause of fatal injuries continues to be falls from a height (35), representing over a quarter of worker deaths.

Construction (35 deaths) and agriculture, forestry and fishing (23 deaths) recorded the highest number of fatalities over the period. When adjusted for workforce size, agriculture, forestry and fishing continued to have the highest fatal injury rate per 100,000 workers, followed by the waste and recycling sector.

The HSE welcomed the downward trend in fatalities, but cautioned against complacency when it comes to workplace safety.

“Great Britain is one of the safest places in the world to work, but we must remember each of these deaths represents a tragedy for families, friends and communities," said HSE chief executive, Sarah Albon. "Our practical and proportionate guidance is available for free on our website, and further support is available if needed.”

A further 92 people who were not at work were killed in work-related incidents in 2024/25. This refers to members of the public who were in a workplace but were not working themselves. The figures relate to work-related accidents and do not include deaths arising from occupational diseases or diseases arising from certain occupational exposures.

Separately, the HSE has confirmed that 2,218 people died from mesothelioma in 2023, representing a fall of 62 compared with 2022, and substantially lower than the average of 2,508 deaths per year over the ten-year period 2011-2020. Current mesothelioma deaths reflect exposure to asbestos that often occurred before the 1980s. Annual deaths are expected to continue to decline over the next decade.

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