Death by falling still major workplace fatality cause, warns new report

The Health and Safety Executive’s annual work-related injury report has revealed the number of workers killed in work-related incidents has declined year on year, but by a smaller rate than in previous terms.

The construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors continue to account for the greatest number of workers killed in fatal accidents each year, with construction responsible for the largest share of fatal injuries to workers over the main industry sectors.

Kevin Bridges, a health and safety and regulatory law expert with Pinsent Masons, said the figures showed industry safety approaches still required further work.

“Whilst the number of fatal accidents in the construction sector have decreased over the last year the HSE will be disappointed to note that the rate of decrease is slowing,” he warned.

“Falls from height continue as the main cause of fatal accident, a situation which has shown little change over the last 25 years.

“This will no doubt inform future inspections.”

The report found that 126 workers were killed in the period from April 2025 to March 2026 in work-related incidents – a decrease of two from the previous year. The construction sector saw 25 fatal injuries during that period – down on the annual average of 37 over the last five years.

A further 104 members of the public were killed in work-related incidents – an increase of eight on previous years.

The HSE found around 60% of all fatal injuries were accounted for by just three accident kinds: falls from a height, strikes by a moving object and strikes by a moving vehicle. Falls from a height were responsible for around a quarter of those fatalities and have been the main cause of work-related fatal injuries in almost every year since 2001 – particularly in the construction industry, where they represented more than half of all deaths in the last five years.

Males continue to account for the vast majority of worker fatal injuries, with 93% of workers fatally injured in 2025-26 being men. Workers aged 60 and overrepresented a third of all fatalities despite making up just 12% of the workforce.

“The HSE's statistics are drawn from reports made under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, which, in essence, require work related incidents involving specified injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences to be notified to the appropriate regulator,” Bridges explained.

“Where a person dies as a result of a work-related accident, a report must be made. However, there can be confusion over the precise meaning of ‘work related’ and in relation to the causal link between an incident and work.

“In its recent consultation the HSE sets out its proposals to clarify these matters, which will largely be through additional guidance and examples, with the aim of obtaining better quality data and fewer unnecessary reports.

“Whether it will achieve this aim remains to be seen, as will its impact on future statistic reporting, but there is concern that, at least in the short term, the current proposals may result in an increase in reporting, with a consequent dilution on the quality of data provided.

“That data must be as accurate as possible. It plays a significant role in flagging potential areas of concern and is used by the regulator to inform inspections and ensure resources are used as effectively and efficiently as possible.

“Overreporting can be as damaging as underreporting so care will be required to ensure any changes to the reporting process are well thought through and balance their costs and benefits for all stakeholders.”