In the last year, 126 workers were killed in work-related incidents across all industries in Great Britain.
HSE's annual data release covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026.
This year the regular annual update is complemented by new analysis, comparing the level and trend of fatal injuries to workers in Great Britain with a selection of 35 other countries.
Apart from the years affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the number of worker deaths in 2025 to 2026 is provisionally the lowest number recorded in a single year.
The industry-wide figure includes 25 fatal injuries to workers in the construction industry, a decrease of 10 from the previous year total (35). The 5-year average for worker fatal injuries in construction is 37.
The most common causes of fatal injuries across all industries are:
- falls from height (31)
- being struck by a moving vehicle (24)
- being struck by a moving object (21)
HSE has also published the annual figures for mesothelioma, a cancer caused by past exposure to asbestos.
2,146 people died from the disease in 2024, which is lower than the average of 2,508 deaths per year during the period 2011 to 2020.
Find out more in our press release: fatal injury statistics press release.
HSE has taken its first enforcement action as part of its ongoing nationwide inspections to protect workers from respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
Several engineered stone fabricators have received prohibition notices requiring them to stop work immediately and take steps to improve.
Following HSE visits, failures identified included:
- dry cutting still taking place and lack of on-tool water suppression
- insufficient mist control
- inadequate or absent respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
- failures in health surveillance
Engineered stone is widely used for kitchen worktops and bathroom vanities and can contain as much as 90% RCS. If inhaled, the dust can cause devastating lung diseases including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Although irreversible, these diseases are preventable with the right controls.
To find out more:
The holiday period means more children and young people spending time outdoors exploring their local surroundings.
As school summer holidays are now upon us across the entire country, we are again reminding construction companies of their duties to keep children out of their site and away from danger.
While rare, children have tragically lost their lives, and others have been injured, after accessing unsecure and unsafe construction sites.
Those in control of construction sites must ensure that they are secure, fenced off where necessary, well-maintained and protected from unauthorised access.
For further information read:
HSE has published extensively improved guidance on managing infection risks and biological hazards in workplaces.
The refreshed guidance will help employers identify biological hazards that may be present in their workplace and provides practical advice on carrying out risk assessments.
The guidance improvements include:
- an introduction to biological hazards at work
- an overview of the law on infections at work
- information on preventing incidental exposures to biological agents and infections
- guidance on safe deliberate work with biological agents
- information for workers on how they should be protected from infection at work
Visit the refreshed guidance on infections and biological hazards at work.
You can also find construction industry specific guidance on construction hazardous substances: harmful micro-organisms.
Lone working
Work at Height
Tower scaffolds
Excavations
Vehicles on sites
Health surveillance
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