HSE Figures Show 126 Workers Killed in Work-Related Incidents in 2025/26

New figures from the Health and Safety Executive show that 126 workers were killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain in 2025/26. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, has published its latest annual work-related fatality statistics, showing that 126 workers died in work-related incidents in Great Britain in 2025/26. The figures were published alongside new analysis which supports Great Britain’s position as one of the safest places in the world to work, but the HSE said every death remains a powerful reminder of why workplace safety matters. 

The figures are provisional at this stage and will be finalised in July 2027 and relate to fatal injuries reported under RIDDOR, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. 

Construction and agriculture saw the highest number of deaths 

According to the HSE, the industries with the highest number of worker deaths were construction, with 25 fatalities, and agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 22. Among other industries, manufacturing saw 18 fatal injuries, transportation and storage saw 15, and wholesale, retail, motor repair, accommodation and food saw 11. 

The HSE also reported that agriculture, forestry and fishing had the highest rate of fatal injury, at 8.09 per 100,000 workers. Waste and recycling had the next highest rate, at 5.47 per 100,000 workers, compared with an average of 0.37 across all industries. 

Falls from height remained the most common cause of fatal injury, accounting for 31 worker deaths in 2025/26. Other leading causes included being struck by a moving vehicle, being struck by a moving object, being trapped by something collapsing or overturning, and contact with moving machinery. 

Older workers accounted for around a third of fatalities 

The HSE figures also show that workers aged 60 and over accounted for 40 fatalities during the year, around a third of all worker deaths, despite making up just 12% of the workforce. 

This highlights the importance of employers considering the needs of all workers when assessing risk, including older employees, agency workers, temporary workers, trainees and those working in higher-risk roles. 

HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon said: “Every one of these numbers represents a loved one lost; serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of the work we do.” She also said Great Britain remains one of the safest places in the world to work, with new analysis allowing comparison with a wider range of advanced economies. 

Fatal accidents are not the only serious workplace risk 

The annual figures focus on deaths, but many more workers are injured in non-fatal workplace accidents each year and these incidents can still have life-changing consequences. 

A fall from height, an accident involving a moving vehicle, a machinery incident, a collapse, or being struck by an object can cause serious injuries such as broken bones, crush injuries, amputations, head injuries, spinal injuries, scarring, psychological trauma and long-term pain. 

Even where an injury is not fatal, it may affect a person’s ability to work, support their family, drive, care for children, continue in their trade or return to the same role. Some workers may need surgery, rehabilitation, time off work or long-term adjustments. 

Employer duties to keep workers safe 

Employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect employees from injury at work. This includes assessing risks, providing safe systems of work, maintaining equipment, offering suitable training and supervision, and making sure workers have the right protective equipment where needed. 

In higher-risk industries such as construction, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and waste management, those duties can be especially important. Employers should consider risks such as working at height, moving vehicles, heavy machinery, falling objects, unstable structures, manual handling, hazardous substances and site organisation. 

An accident at work may give rise to a claim where an injury was caused by unsafe practices, inadequate training, a lack of supervision, faulty or poorly maintained equipment, missing guards, unsafe ladders, poor site management or a failure to follow health and safety guidance. 

Can you claim compensation after an accident at work? 

If you have been injured at work, you may be able to make an accident at work claim if your employer failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe. 

A claim may be possible where, for example: 

• You were not given suitable training 
• The task had not been properly risk assessed 
• Equipment was faulty or poorly maintained 
• Machinery was not properly guarded 
• A ladder, platform or working area was unsafe 
• You were struck by a vehicle or moving object 
• There was no proper supervision 
• Previous concerns or near misses had been ignored 

Compensation can reflect the injury itself, as well as the wider impact on your life. This may include pain and suffering, loss of earnings, future loss of earnings, medical treatment, rehabilitation, care and support needs, travel costs, and the effect of the injury on your ability to work or carry out everyday tasks. 

Every case depends on its own facts, but if your injury was caused by unsafe working practices or your employer’s failure to protect you, it may be worth getting advice. 

What should you do after an accident at work? 

If you have been injured at work, it is important to seek medical attention and make sure the accident has been recorded. You should also keep copies of any accident book entry, photographs, witness details, medical notes, correspondence with your employer and evidence of lost earnings or expenses. 

If the accident involved machinery, a fall, a vehicle, lifting equipment or unsafe working conditions, try to keep details of what happened, what task you were carrying out, what training you had received and whether any concerns had previously been raised. 

Many people worry about making a claim against their employer; however, employers are required to have insurance in place for workplace injury claims. A specialist solicitor can explain your options and help you understand whether you may have a claim. 

Premier Legal Assist can help 

If you have been injured in an accident at work, you don’t have to face the consequences alone. If your case is eligible, with our help, you can seek compensation for the impact the injury has had on your health, work and day-to-day life. 

Premier Legal Assist can connect you with a team of specialist personal injury lawyers who handle accident at work claims on a no-win, no-fee basis. 

In most cases, an adult has three years from the date of the accident to begin a personal injury claim. If the injured person was under 18 at the time of the accident, the usual three-year period generally starts on their 18th birthday. 

To find out if you are eligible to make a no-win, no-fee claim, complete our short form, and a team member will be in touch.