The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that 126 workers were killed in work-related incidents across Great Britain during 2025/26, marking a provisional low in annual fatalities. Additionally, 2,146 individuals tragically died from mesothelioma in 2024 due to past asbestos exposure. These figures, released today, reinforce Great Britain’s standing as one of the safest places globally to work, supported by new international analysis.
126 workers died in 2025/26, lowest provisional figure on record
The 2025/26 figure of 126 worker deaths represents a reduction compared to previous decades, excluding the years impacted by the coronavirus pandemic (2019/20-2021/22). This number is substantially lower than the 217 fatalities recorded twenty years ago in 2005/06 and a stark contrast to the 495 deaths reported in 1981. This sustained downward trend underscores the ongoing efforts and improvements in workplace safety standards across the nation.
For the first time, the HSE has conducted new analysis comparing the level and trend of fatal injuries to workers in Great Britain with 35 other countries worldwide, extending beyond Europe. This comprehensive international benchmarking provides robust evidence that Great Britain is successfully maintaining its position as a leading nation for workplace safety, demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting its workforce. The findings highlight the effectiveness of the regulatory framework and enforcement activities in place.
Certain sectors continue to face higher risks. Construction recorded the highest number of deaths with 25 fatalities, closely followed by agriculture, forestry, and fishing with 22. When considering the rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers, agriculture, forestry, and fishing consistently shows the highest rate at 8.09, significantly above the all-industry average of 0.37. The waste and recycling sector also presented an elevated risk, reporting a rate of 5.47 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers, indicating areas where targeted safety interventions remain crucial.
Falls from a height remain the most common cause of fatal injuries, accounting for 31 deaths, approximately a quarter of all worker fatalities in 2025/26. This persistent issue highlights the critical need for stringent measures to prevent falls, particularly in high-risk environments. Furthermore, workers aged 60 and over were disproportionately affected, representing around a third of all fatalities during the year (40 deaths), despite this age group comprising only 12 per cent of the total workforce. This demographic trend suggests a need for specific considerations regarding older workers’ safety.
Beyond direct workers, 104 members of the public were also killed as a result of work-related incidents in 2025/26. This figure encompasses individuals not directly engaged in work at the time of the incident, underscoring the broader societal impact of workplace safety failures. HSE’s Chief Executive, Sarah Albon, emphasised the human cost of these statistics, stating: “Every one of these numbers represents a loved one lost; serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of the work we do.” She also expressed pride in Great Britain’s safety record and the value of the new international analysis.
The HSE also released its annual figures for mesothelioma, a severe cancer caused by past exposure to asbestos. In 2024, 2,146 people died from this disease in Great Britain. This figure represents a fall of 109 deaths compared with 2023 and is substantially lower than the average of 2,508 deaths per year over the ten-year period from 2011-2020. Many current mesothelioma deaths are a consequence of asbestos exposure that often occurred before the 1980s, and annual deaths are projected to continue declining over the next decade as the legacy of past exposures diminishes.
The Health and Safety Executive, as Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, remains dedicated to protecting people and places. These annual statistics serve as a crucial benchmark for evaluating progress and identifying areas requiring continued focus. The HSE is committed to working with industries, employers, and workers to further reduce fatalities and injuries, ensuring that Great Britain continues to be a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre.
