The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the UK’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. In this article, Nasir examines the HSE’s annual statistics and what they tell us about the state of workplace health in the UK.

The HSE published its annual health and safety statistics for 2024/25 on 20 November 2025. Although the UK is undoubtedly one of the safest places in which to work in Europe, many long-standing challenges and constraints remain. This year’s statistics show a considerable change in the data compared to previous years.

The HSE’s 2024/25 statistics

The statistics reveal that 1.9 million people suffered from work-related illness in the past year, of which 964,000 workers suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety. Mental health continues to be a constant challenge since the pandemic, and this accounted for 52% of total workplace illness. The statistics indicate that workplace stress affects women more than men, with figures for females being 25% higher than those for their male counterparts.

Additionally, although asbestos was banned in 1985, the recent statistics reveal that 2,218 mesothelioma deaths were recorded in 2023 due to cancer caused by historical asbestos exposure.

Muscle, tendon and joint pain injuries also accounted for 26% of workplace illnesses. While musculoskeletal disorders fell slightly, the number remains high (over half a million). This indicates continued risk and signals that sectors reliant on manual work, repetitive tasks or poor ergonomics must keep musculoskeletal disorder prevention high on the agenda.

HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon, commenting on the annual statistics for ill health and injuries, said: “Great Britain maintains its position as one of the safest places to work globally, built on more than 50 years of health and safety regulation. However, these statistics demonstrate that workplace health challenges persist, particularly around mental health.”

Workplace fatalities

The statistics also cover workplace fatalities and show a reduction from 138 (2023/24) to 124. This figure remains in line with pre-pandemic levels. While the decrease in fatalities is a positive indicator, it’s important to recognise these are not just numbers; they represent families and businesses that have been severely affected by workplace incidents.

The data shows that the construction sector continues to account for the largest share of workplace fatalities, representing 28% of all fatal injuries (35 deaths).

It is essential that businesses review their health and safety duties to ensure robust measures are put in place to mitigate the potential risks that cause fatalities. This can be achieved by proactively assessing risks, hosting toolbox talks, providing regular training and implementing a renewed focus on the prevention of harm.

Mental wellbeing

While we can see a slight decline in fatal injuries, work-related illness continues to be on an upward trend, particularly in relation to mental health. The sharp jump in mental-health related ill health (stress/depression/anxiety) makes clear that mental wellbeing is a growing, perhaps dominant, driver of work-related ill health. For many employers, mental health risks may now surpass traditional physical risks.

Campaigns such as the HSE’s Working Minds campaign are helping employers understand how to identify and reduce work-related stress. Businesses are encouraged to create a culture where employees feel comfortable to openly discuss mental health and have access to relevant resources, such as mental health first aiders and external support networks that offer staff counselling through employee assistance programmes.

The HSE aims to play a pivotal role in combating workplace ill health by increasing inspections to assess psychological health alongside physical risks, imposing enforcement actions against employers who fail to implement measures to promote the wellbeing of their employees. These implementations will not bring overnight results, and it will take considerable time before we see a reduction in numbers. However, the regulator’s shift in approach, placing mental health at the centre of its agenda, is a positive indicator.

The broader financial implications

A workplace injury does not just impact the employee; it also has far-reaching consequences for the employer and the whole economy.

The financial implications of 2024/25 are stark: 40.1 million days were lost, placing major pressure on employers across the UK. The sharp 19% increase in days lost compared to the previous year is concerning, highlighting widespread challenges in maintaining productivity and operational stability. This translates into lost productivity, disrupted operations and increased absenteeism, all of which place a real financial and operational burden on businesses.

Even more concerning is the escalating economic cost of workplace injury and ill health, which has risen to £22.9bn, up from £21.6bn in 2023/24. This figure reinforces the pressure now weighing on individual businesses and the wider UK economy.

Conclusion

While fatalities have declined, the notable rise in non-fatal injuries highlights that workplace safety cannot be measured by mortality alone. These injuries, though less severe, carry significant consequences for workforce health, morale and productivity. The prevalence of ill health and non-fatal injuries illustrates that “safety” today must mean a broader commitment to long-term wellbeing, encompassing both physical and mental health as well as chronic risks.

The HSE, in line with its 2025/26 business plan, is prioritising work-related ill health, with a particular focus on stress and mental wellbeing, while also increasing inspections from 13,200 in 2023/24 to 14,000 in 2025/26. This, coupled with tougher fines and enforcement measures, suggests a stronger push toward compliance and a more holistic vision of workplace safety.