New HSE Fatality Statistics Released: Key Takeaways for Health and Safety Professionals
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its latest workplace fatality statistics for Great Britain, covering April 2025 to March 2026. The figures show that 126 workers were killed in work-related incidents, making it provisionally the lowest annual total recorded outside the pandemic-affected years.
This continues a long-term downward trend, with 217 worker deaths recorded twenty years ago and 495 in 1981. While the statistics demonstrate significant progress, they also highlight persistent risks that continue to cost lives.
Britain Remains One of the Safest Places to Work
This year’s release includes new HSE analysis comparing Great Britain’s fatal injury rates with those of 35 other countries. The findings support the UK’s position as one of the safest places in the world to work, reflecting decades of regulatory development and improvements in workplace risk management.
However, the latest figures are a reminder that even strong overall performance should never lead to complacency.
Construction and Agriculture Still Account for the Most Fatalities
Construction recorded the highest number of worker deaths, with 25 fatalities, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing with 22 fatalities. Agriculture remains the sector with the highest fatal injury rate, at 8.09 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared with an all-industry average of 0.37 per 100,000 workers. Waste and recycling also continues to experience disproportionately high levels of risk.
For employers in these sectors, the data reinforces the importance of maintaining robust controls, effective supervision and strong safety leadership.
Falls From Height Remain the Biggest Killer
Despite years of awareness campaigns and enforcement activity, falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities, accounting for 31 deaths during 2025/26.
The continued prominence of this risk highlights the need for organisations to regularly review their work at height arrangements, including risk assessments, competence, supervision and equipment management.
A Growing Focus on Older Workers
Workers aged 60 and over accounted for 40 fatalities, despite representing only around 12% of the workforce.
As more people choose to work later in life, employers should consider whether their risk assessments adequately reflect factors such as mobility, long-term health conditions, fatigue and physical capability. Occupational health professionals can play a key role in helping organisations understand and manage these risks effectively.
The Bottom Line
The latest HSE statistics show that Britain’s overall safety record continues to improve, but the underlying challenges remain familiar. Falls from height, high-risk industries and the needs of an ageing workforce continue to demand attention.
For health and safety professionals, the message is clear: progress is encouraging, but preventing harm still relies on getting the basics right every day. Strong leadership, effective risk management and a proactive safety culture remain the most important tools for ensuring that everyone goes home safe and well at the end of their working day.
Source: HSE, Work-related Fatal Injuries in Great Britain, April 2025 to March 2026, published 1 July 2026.
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