HSE's 2024 Safety Report: Key insights & how to make 2025 safer

Explore the UK's 2024 workplace safety statistics, key improvements, rising risks, and how businesses can prevent incidents and fatalities in 2025 and beyond.

As we move through the early months of 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics and identify what’s working and what isn’t in UK workplace safety. The good news? Some areas have seen improvements. The not-so-good news? Others have worsened, highlighting ongoing challenges for businesses and safety professionals.

By looking at the trends in work-related ill health, injuries, fatalities, and the economic impact of workplace incidents, we can get a clear picture of where the UK is heading in terms of health and safety. More importantly, we can use this knowledge to make workplaces safer for the rest of 2025 and beyond.

What improved in 2024?

Mental health and work-related illnesses

One of the most promising trends in the latest statistics is the decline in work-related stress, depression, and anxiety cases. In 2023/24, 776,000 workers reported suffering from work-related mental health conditions, a notable decrease from the 910,000 reported in 2022/23. While mental health remains a major concern, this drop suggests that the increased focus on mental health initiatives such as employee assistance programmes, flexible working, and workplace wellbeing policies is starting to have an impact.

The economic cost of workplace injuries

The financial burden of workplace injuries and new cases of work-related ill health has decreased. In 2022/23, the estimated total cost was £21.6 billion, a £1.6 billion drop compared to the previous year. This could be linked to better risk management, improved reporting systems, and more effective safety measures across industries.

General workplace safety awareness

With more organisations investing in health and safety training and digital safety solutions, awareness around workplace hazards has improved. Many industries have embraced digital data-driven incident management tools, which help businesses track safety performance, identify risks earlier, and implement preventive measures more effectively.

What worsened in 2024?

Workplace fatalities

Image Source - HSE. (2024). Types of injuries. [WEBP]. HSE. Link

Despite progress in some areas, workplace fatalities rose slightly from 135 in 2022/23 to 138 in 2023/24. While this increase may seem small, every workplace fatality represents a preventable tragedy. Industries with the highest fatality rates such as construction and manufacturing must continue refining their safety protocols to protect workers from high-risk activities.

Musculoskeletal disorders on the rise

Another concerning trend is the rise in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). In 2023/24, 543,000 cases of MSDs were reported, an increase of 70,000 from the previous period. This suggests that despite ergonomic improvements and increased awareness, many workers are still being exposed to physically demanding tasks without sufficient support. Poor workstation setups, repetitive strain, and heavy lifting remain significant contributors to this issue, especially in industries like logistics, healthcare, and office environments where prolonged sitting or repetitive movements are common.

Non-fatal workplace injuries increase

The number of self-reported non-fatal injuries rose to 604,000, up from 561,000 in the previous year. While these incidents vary in severity, the increase signals that more needs to be done to prevent slips, trips, falls, and manual handling injuries. These types of incidents often stem from a lack of hazard awareness, rushed work environments, or failure to follow basic safety protocols.

Construction remains a high-risk industry

The construction sector saw an increase in workplace deaths, rising from 47 to 51 in a single year. This means nearly a third of all workplace fatalities occurred within this industry. With hazards like working at height, moving vehicles, and heavy machinery, construction sites remain one of the most dangerous workplaces in the UK. Despite advances in training and technology, stricter enforcement of safety regulations is needed to drive these numbers down.

Top 10 Industries with the most incidents and fatalities in 2024

Image Source - HSE. (2024). Fatal injuries by industrys. [WEBP]. HSE. Link

‍Understanding which industries face the highest risks can help businesses take targeted action to improve workplace safety. The following sectors recorded the highest number of incidents and fatalities in 2024:

  1. Construction – The most dangerous industry in the UK, with the highest number of fatalities due to falls from height, moving objects, and site-related accidents.
  2. Manufacturing – High risk of injuries due to machinery accidents, chemical exposure, and repetitive strain injuries.
  3. Transport and logistics – Increasing incidents related to vehicle collisions, manual handling injuries, and fatigue-related accidents.
  4. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing – High number of fatalities due to machinery accidents, falls, and animal-related injuries.
  5. Healthcare and social work – Rising incidents of musculoskeletal disorders and workplace violence against healthcare workers.
  6. Retail and wholesale – Manual handling injuries and falls due to stockroom hazards and repetitive lifting tasks.
  7. Warehousing and distribution – Similar risks to logistics, with a growing number of incidents related to automation and high-demand work environments.
  8. Public administration and defence – Incidents include physical assaults, stress-related conditions, and equipment-related injuries.
  9. Utilities (electricity, gas, water, waste management) – Hazardous work environments leading to electrical accidents, confined space incidents, and chemical exposure.
  10. Hospitality and catering – Increased number of slips, trips, burns, and manual handling injuries in fast-paced service environments.

These industries must take proactive measures to ensureworker safety, including enhanced training, better safety equipment, and stronger compliance with HSE regulations.

Key Takeaways for 2025

With these insights in mind, what can businesses do to make workplaces safer this year?

  • Improve hazard awareness and prevention strategies – The increase in non-fatal injuries indicates a need for enhanced hazard awareness and proactive     prevention. Encouraging immediate reporting of all incidents, near-misses, and observations is crucial. Prompt reporting ensures timely investigations and the implementation of corrective actions, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement. Implementing user-friendly reporting systems and providing training on recognising and reporting hazards can empower employees to actively participate in safety initiatives. Learn about COMET's answer to improving hazard awareness.
  • Stronger enforcement in high-risk sectors – Industries such as construction, manufacturing, and logistics continue to face significant safety challenges. Adopting advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, can enhance incident prevention efforts. AI-driven tools can analyse historical data to identify patterns and foresee potential incidents, enabling organisations to implement preventive measures proactively. This approach not only helps in complying with regulations but also in protecting employees and the environment. Click here to learn about what COMET is doing in this space.
  • Leverage technology for better safety management – Utilising digital solutions like COMET's Incident Management and Investigations modules can significantly improve safety management. These tools streamline the process of incident recording and investigation, providing a structured approach to identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions. For instance, companies have reported a 29% reduction in first aid cases within a year of adopting COMET, contributing to their best-ever safety records. By integrating such technologies, organisations can enhance their ability to monitor risks, prevent repeat failures, and promote a culture of continuous safety improvement. Learn more about COMET Investigation.
  • Continue investing in mental health initiatives – The reduction in work-related stress cases is encouraging, but mental health support must go beyond awareness campaigns. Long hours, high-pressure environments, and lack of psychological support still contribute to work-related anxiety, burnout, and absenteeism. Employers should take proactive steps, such as-:

          - Encouraging open conversations about mental health without stigma.

          - Implementing workload balancing measures to prevent burnout.

          - Providing access to mental health support services, such as counselling, flexible working arrangements, or stress management training.

  • Prioritise ergonomic interventions – The increase in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) indicates that many workplaces still lack proper ergonomic setups,     movement-friendly work environments, and injury prevention strategies. Poor ergonomics isn’t just an office issue—logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors are particularly impacted by repetitive strain injuries and improper lifting techniques. Employers must:

          - Regularly assess work stations and adjust setups to support employee well-being.

          - Train employees on proper lifting, posture, and movement techniques to prevent long-term strain.

          - Encourage frequent movement breaks and provide tools like standing desks, anti-fatigue mats, or ergonomic chairs where appropriate.


Looking Ahead: Making 2025 a Safer Year

Whilst we accept that statistical reporting at this level is only part of the picture, this latest HSE report is a useful component and stimulus for ongoing improvement effort. Indeed, there is some progress, but there are also ongoing challenges that need attention. The good news is that it’s still early in the year. There’s plenty of time for businesses to take meaningful action to reduce workplace risks and improve overall safety.

At COMET, we understand the challenges of managing health and safety. Our software helps organisations take a structured, data-driven approach to workplace risk management, ensuring compliance, improving incident investigations, and driving safer work environments.

If your business wants to take proactive steps in 2025, now is the time to act. Get in touch to learn more about how COMET can help.

If you have any further questions about the HSE report data, contact HSE for more information.

Find the why behind your incidents

One of the key steps in improving safety is understanding why incidents happen in the first place. COMET has analysed six global organisations and identified the top 10 root causes behind workplace incidents.

📥 Download our report, Top 10 Root Causes Found in COMET Investigations, to uncover what’s driving workplace failures and how to prevent them in 2025.

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