Every morning, millions of people across Great Britain leave home, expecting to return safely at the end of the day. But in 2024/25, 124 families faced a devastating reality: their loved ones never came back.
The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show a drop in work-related fatalities from 138 to 124. While this marks a statistical improvement, we must ask is it truly enough?
👉 Read more: HSE statistics for 2023/24
As the No Falls Foundation rightly points out, a high number of deaths last year should not become our benchmark for improvement. Behind each number is a person, a family, and a story that did not need to end the way it did.
One life lost at work is one too many. We must do more.
📊 Workplace Fatality Statistics UK: Key Causes
The five main causes of fatal injuries and the number of fatalities at work in 2024/25 were:
- Falls from a height: 35
- Struck by a moving object: 18
- Trapped by something collapsing/overturning: 17
- Struck by moving vehicle: 14
- Contact with moving machinery: 13
💡 Falls from height remain the biggest killer in UK workplaces.
🏭 Industries with the Highest Workplace Fatalities
Some sectors remain consistently high-risk:
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🏗️ Construction: 35
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🌾 Agriculture, forestry & fishing: 23
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🚚 Transport & storage: 15
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🏭 Manufacturing: 11
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♻️ Waste & recycling: 3
👥 Who Is Most Affected?
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Older workers (60 and over): 49 deaths
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Workers aged 16 to 59: 71 deaths
🚨 The Real Cost of Falls from Height
Over the past decade, 361 workers in the UK have died from falls from height, which is more than enough to fill a jumbo jet. But the cost of these accidents goes far beyond the numbers:
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Emotional trauma for families and colleagues
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Financial hardship due to lost income and legal costs
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Operational disruption and even business closure
🛠️ How HLS Supports Safe Working at Height
At HLS, we believe every worker has the right to feel safe, supported, and heard, especially when working at height. We help businesses implement safety into their day-to-day operations, not just their paperwork. Our services include:
✅ Risk Assessments & Site Surveys:
Prevention starts with understanding risk. We assess your work environment, identify potential hazards, and offer actionable recommendations for a safer site.
👉 Find out: How to conduct a Risk Assessment
👉 Learn more: What is a Rescue Plan?
✅ Right Equipment, Right Job:
Whether you need a boom lift, cherry picker, scissor lift, or a bespoke platform, we’re here to help you choose the most suitable equipment for your working-at-height tasks. From powered and non-powered access platforms to materials handling and floor care equipment, we ensure you get the right tools for the job
👉 Learn more: What is a MEWP?
✅ Work at height training (IPAF and HLS In-house)
Knowledge saves lives. Our work at height training ensures your team knows the risks, understands best practices, and feels confident working safely, even in challenging conditions.
- MEWP Operator training
- MEWPs for Managers
- Harness Awareness and Harness User Training
- Forklift truck training
- Powered pallet truck
- Steps and ladders training
👉 Explore: Different types of training that we offer
✅ Ongoing Support
Our team is here to answer your questions, support your safety goals, and help you implement a health and safety culture.
📣Do not wait for a near miss. Take action today!
When it comes to working at height, proactive safety saves lives. Contact the HLS team today to:
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Book a work at height site survey
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Tell us about your training requirements: Complete our enquiry form
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Find the right access platform: Whether you're looking to hire, purchase, or lease, we’ll match you with the safest and most efficient solution.
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Request a Quote for a Planned Maintenance & Service Agreement
- Download the latest edition of our Working at Height Expert Guide: Download now
📞 Contact HLS
Email: hello@hls.co
Phone: +44 (0)113 524 1018
Contact Form: Complete your enquiry here
Sources:
- https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/assets/docs/fatalinjuries.pdf
- https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2025/07/03/stories-behind-statistics-iosh-launches-new-work-height-campaign
