UK Construction Safety Statistics 2026

Fatal Injury Rate

The rate of fatal injury in construction in 2023/24 was 1.90 per 100,000 workers, compared to the all-industry average of 0.45 per 100,000. This means a construction worker is approximately 4.2 times more likely to be killed at work than the average worker.

Causes of Fatal Injuries in Construction (2019/20 - 2023/24, 5-year average)

Source: HSE, Fatal injuries in construction 5-year averages

Most Common Non-Fatal Injuries

• Slips, trips and falls on the same level -- the most common cause of non-fatal injury
• Handling, lifting and carrying -- musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling
• Falls from height -- still prominent even in non-fatal injuries
• Struck by moving or falling object -- tools, materials, plant
• Acts of violence -- increasingly recognised on construction sites
• Contact with moving machinery -- power tools and plant equipment

Major Occupational Health Risks

• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) -- the most common type of work-related ill health in construction, caused by manual handling, repetitive tasks, and vibrating tools
• Respiratory diseases -- silicosis from silica dust, asbestosis, occupational asthma from various construction dusts and substances
• Noise-induced hearing loss -- a major risk from power tools, machinery, and general site noise
• Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) -- caused by regular use of vibrating tools like breakers, grinders, and drills
• Dermatitis -- from contact with cement, solvents, resins, and other construction materials
• Mental health -- construction has one of the highest rates of suicide of any occupation. Factors include long hours, job insecurity, time away from family, and a culture that discourages seeking help
• Cancer -- construction workers face elevated risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma (from asbestos), and skin cancer (from sun exposure and substance contact)

HSE Enforcement Activity in Construction

• Prosecutions: Construction consistently has the highest number of HSE prosecutions of any sector, with average fines increasing significantly in recent years
• Improvement Notices: Issued when HSE inspectors identify a contravention requiring action within a specified timeframe
• Prohibition Notices: Issued when there is an immediate risk of serious personal injury -- work must stop immediately
• Fee for Intervention (FFI): Duty holders in material breach must pay HSE's costs at a rate of £166/hour (2024/25 rate)
• Sentencing Guidelines: Since 2016, courts have applied stricter sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences, resulting in significantly higher fines, especially for larger organisations

Progress Over the Decades

UK construction safety has improved dramatically over the long term. In the 1960s, over 250 construction workers were killed each year. The introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, followed by CDM Regulations in 1994 (updated in 2007 and 2015), and increasingly rigorous enforcement have driven down fatality numbers. However, progress has plateaued in recent years, with annual fatalities fluctuating between 35 and 55.

• 1960s: ~250+ fatal injuries per year
• 1980s: ~130 fatal injuries per year
• 2000s: ~70 fatal injuries per year
• 2010s: ~40 fatal injuries per year
• 2020s: ~40-55 fatal injuries per year

Official Sources

• HSE: Construction statistics in Great Britain
• HSE: Workplace fatal injuries
• HSE: Health and safety statistics
• HSE: Construction main page
• Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Note: Statistics on this page are based on the most recent available HSE data (2023/24 annual statistics and 5-year averages). Some figures are rounded. Construction worker numbers include both employees and the self-employed. We update this page as new data is published.