Understanding the latest workplace health and safety statistics in the UK is essential for business leaders, safety officers, and anyone responsible for compliance. Whether you are aiming to protect employees, reduce risk, or enhance your reputation, these figures give you insight into where action matters most.

We believe knowing the statistics means you are better informed to make the right decisions for your business. Compliance isn’t just tick-boxes, it is about proactive protection of your most valuable asset – your people. The recently published Vantify Compliance Report goes into detail about the top trends in health and safety compliance in 2025 from the expert perspective of our COO Phil Jones, but let’s explore further below:

 

1. Work‑related fatalities

• In 2024/25, 124 workers were killed in work‑related incidents in Great Britain, with construction (35) and agriculture, forestry and fishing (23) being the most affected sectors. The most frequent cause was falls from a height, accounting for over a quarter of deaths. HSE Media Centre

2. Ill‑health and workplace injuries

• In 2023/24, 1.7 million working people reported work‑related ill health, including 776,000 cases of stress, depression or anxiety, and 543,000 musculoskeletal disorder cases. HSE Media CentreHealth and Safety Executive
• That year also saw 33.7 million working days lost to ill health and injury, and estimates place the cost to employers and society at £21.6 billion. HSE Media CentreHealth and Safety Executive
• Around 138 workers were killed in work‑related accidents, and 604,000 people sustained non‑fatal workplace injuries during the same period. HSE Media CentreHowden Group

3. Economic impact of ill health

• The annual cost of injuries and work‑related ill health is estimated at £21.6 billion for 2022/23, reflecting the high financial burden on businesses. Howden GroupHealth and Safety Executive

4. Stress remains a major risk

• Mental health issues accounted for nearly half of reported work‑related ill health cases. On average, each case led to about 21.1 days off work, amounting to 16.4 million days lost in 2023/24. The TimesGovDelivery

5. Workplace health support is lacking

• Nearly 10 million workers in the UK do not have access to basic workplace health support such as flu vaccinations, health checks, or smoking cessation programmes. The Guardian

Why these numbers matter

These statistics throw light on the most pressing areas of concern, from fatal injuries and mental health to musculoskeletal issues and resource gaps in health support. The economic impact highlights the urgency of investing in prevention. These figures also underline the importance of using data‑informed safety decisions, training staff effectively, and fostering workplace wellbeing.

If you want to stay ahead in UK health and safety compliance, it starts with knowing the latest data on workplace accidents, ill health, and economic impact. Our blog draws on trusted HSE data, including the latest fatality and mental health figures, to give you a clear picture of risk and cost. Staying informed not only helps protect your employees but also supports better compliance and efficiency: an undeniable advantage in today’s business environment.

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Vantify was created through the merging of William Martin, Meridian, Prosure360, Elogs and The SRC Group. So our compliance ecosystem has its roots back in 2004, when William Martin was founded and introduced the market-leading software platform, Meridian. In 2025, we took things to the next level with the creation of Vantify – a single ecosystem, giving clients a single vantage point over all areas of compliance and risk management.

Simplify compliance, reduce risk and improve visibility via our integrated platforms so you can solve problems before they fully develop.

To learn more about how Vantify can help your company protect the wellbeing of your workforce, contact us today.