The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released the latest statistics for work-related ill health and injury in Great Britain during 2023/24. The figures highlight ongoing challenges in workplace safety and underline the need for proper protection and risk management.

Key findings:

• 1.7 million workers were estimated to be suffering from work-related ill health.
• 138 workers died due to injuries sustained at work.
• There were 604,000 self-reported non-fatal injuries via the Labour Force Survey.
• 61,663 non-fatal injuries to employees were reported under RIDDOR.

Falls from height remain the leading cause of fatal injury

• 50 workers died as a result of falls from height, accounting for over a third of all fatal injuries.
• This represents a 22% increase from the previous year and is 35% above the 5-year average.
• 52% of these deaths were among self-employed workers, with 26 fatalities in 2023/24, up from 18 the year before.

Construction sector most affected by fatal injuries

• The construction industry recorded the highest number of fatal injuries, with 51 worker deaths—up from 47 in 2022/23.
• 31 of these were due to falls from height.
• Agriculture, forestry, and fishing reported 23 deaths, and manufacturing saw 16 fatalities.

Head injury was the most common cause of fatality

• 44 workers died from a head injury, making it the most frequent fatal injury type—32% of all fatalities in 2023/24.
• This is up from 38 in the previous year and 24% above the 5-year average.

Record number of non-fatal head injuries

• 3,562 non-fatal head injuries were reported, the highest in the last 10 years.
• This is an increase from 3,470 in 2022/23 and surpasses the previous record of 3,477 in 2018/19.
• The rise may reflect both higher injury rates and improved reporting.

Occupational lung disease remains a major concern

• An estimated 12,000 deaths from lung disease each year are linked to past exposure at work.
• In 2022, there were 2,257 mesothelioma deaths, with similar figures for asbestos-related lung cancer.
• Around 20,000 new cases of lung or breathing problems are reported annually, based on a three-year average.

These statistics reinforce the importance of:

• Implementing robust work at height control measures.
• Selecting the correct type of helmet for the task.
• Choosing appropriate Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) where required.

Key points:

• Falls from height are the leading cause of fatal injury in the workplace.
• Head injuries were the most common fatal injury type in 2023/24.
• Non-fatal head injuries have reached a 10-year high.
• Construction remains the most high-risk sector for fatalities.
• Occupational lung disease still accounts for thousands of deaths annually.

If you need further support, please contact our Technical Support Team using the email: technical@jspsafety.com or contact us via WhatsApp.