Home / Health / Workplace Injuries Surge: HSE Sees Alarming Rise
Workplace Injuries Surge: HSE Sees Alarming Rise
24 Jan
Summary
- Workplace injuries at HSE premises doubled to 23 in the latest year.
- Over 1.9 million working people suffer from a work-related illness annually.
- Work-related ill health and injuries cost the UK economy £22.9bn.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recorded a notable increase in workplace injuries, with 23 incidents occurring at its premises in the year to March 2025, a rise from 11 in the previous year. This trend reflects a broader national issue, as an estimated 1.9 million working individuals are currently affected by work-related illnesses.
Among these illnesses, stress, depression, or anxiety related to employment affects nearly one million people, while over half a million suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. Furthermore, 680,000 individuals reported sustaining injuries at work, leading to an estimated loss of 40.1 million working days. The financial impact is substantial, with the cost of work-related injuries and ill health rising to £22.9 billion.
RIDDOR regulations mandate the reporting of workplace injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences. In 2024/25, employers reported 59,219 non-fatal worker injuries. Slips, trips, and falls at ground level accounted for 30% of these incidents, followed by handling and lifting (17%), being struck by moving objects (10%), acts of violence (10%), and falls from height (8%). A HSE spokesperson stated that these figures are within normal year-to-year statistical variability, aligning with the 10-year average.
