The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has published its annual report on work-related ill health and injuries for 2024/25, and the figures highlight ongoing challenges for UK workplaces. An estimated 1.9 million workers experienced work-related ill health during the year, a level that remains broadly consistent with recent trends but still higher than pre-pandemic figures.
Mental health continues to dominate the picture, with 964,000 workers reporting stress, depression, or anxiety linked to work. This upward trend reinforces the need for proactive mental health strategies in occupational health and safety programs. Overall, work-related ill health and injuries led to 40.1 million lost working days, placing significant strain on businesses and employees alike.
The economic impact is equally striking: in 2023/4, the cost of workplace injuries and new cases of ill health was estimated at £22.9 billion. In 2024/25, fatal injuries totalled 124, while non-fatal injuries reached 680,000 self-reported cases. Despite these challenges, HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon emphasized that Great Britain remains one of the safest places to work globally, thanks to decades of robust health and safety regulation.
For Occupational Health & Safety professionals, these figures underline the importance of a holistic, people-centered approach to workplace health and safety – one that treats mental health risk management with the same seriousness as physical safety. Consider reviewing stress risk assessments and ensuring managers are trained to spot early signs of burnout.
With millions of working days lost, investing in preventative measures like ergonomic assessments, mental health resources, and clear reporting channels can significantly reduce disruption and costs. Staying informed about trends and guidance will help you keep your workforce safe, healthy, and productive.
President of IOSH 2008, Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
I am pleased that you are helping dispel some of the dafter myths that surround OH&S (a passion you and I clearly have in common) and the item clearly indicates that as with so many of our professional colleagues you are not about stopping fun on the pretext of H&S. It is only with the help of people such as yourself that we will eventually get the message across that OH&S is about bringing (as you so aptly put it) purpose and value to peoples lives
