Each summer, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes its annual work-related fatal injury statistics. While the headline number often attracts the most attention, the real value of the report lies in the trends behind the figures.

The statistics for 2025/26 (click here for report) show that 126 workers lost their lives in work-related incidents. Although the overall figure has remained relatively stable over recent years, the data highlights where employers should be focusing their attention. Many of the leading causes of fatal injury have remained unchanged for years which tells us something important; employers generally understand where the risks lie but challenge is making sure the controls in place continue to work in practice, day after day.

Here are five key takeaways from this year’s report.

1: Workplace transport risks are increasing

One of the clearest messages from this year’s HSE statistics is the increase in fatalities involving moving vehicles. Deaths caused by workers being struck by moving vehicles increased from 14 in 2024/25 to 21 in 2025/26, making it one of the leading causes of fatal injury. For many businesses, vehicles are an essential part of day-to-day operations. This issue is particularly relevant for organisations operating in manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, construction, agriculture, and waste management, but the principles are the same for any business that has vehicles and pedestrians sharing working areas. For example, offices may have delivery vehicles performing loading and reversing activities on their site.

As a starting point, employers may wish to:

• Walk the workplace and observe how vehicles, pedestrians and visitors actually move around the site, rather than relying solely on written arrangements.
• Review whether traffic routes, loading areas and reversing activities are still suitable, particularly following changes to layout, equipment or operations.
• Speak with employees and contractors who use the area every day, as they will often identify practical issues that may not be obvious from a risk assessment.

For further reading, see our blog on safe sites for smooth operations found HERE. HSE’s workplace transport guidance also has practical advice on managing vehicles and pedestrians in the workplace: https://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/

2: Falls from height remain the biggest fatal risk

Falls from height continue to be the leading cause of workplace fatalities, with 35 worker deaths recorded this year. The challenge for employers not usually spotting that this is a hazard, but ensuring that safe systems of work are consistently followed. A task that appears straightforward or short duration can still carry significant risk if the right equipment, planning or supervision is missing. While construction remains the sector most commonly associated with falls from height, this is a risk across many industries including facilities management, property maintenance, utilities, telecommunications, manufacturing and engineering. For a low-risk example of how complacency around working at height can set in – how many people in an office environment may be tempted to just pull a chair over to reach something on a high shelf rather than locate and use a ladder?

As a starting point, employers may wish to:

• Consider whether the work can be completed without working at height, or whether the task can be redesigned to remove the need altogether.
• Check that equipment provided is suitable for the task and that inspections and maintenance arrangements are effective.
• Review how work is supervised in practice, particularly where tasks are completed by contractors or involve short-term maintenance activities.

HSE’s work at height guidance provides advice on planning, selecting equipment and controlling risks: https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/, you can also check out this Working at Height E-Learning, or drop us a note to discuss how to get started.

3: Construction remains a high-risk sector and a source of wider lessons

Construction continues to record the highest number of worker fatalities of any industry. This reflects the range of hazards present across the sector, including work at height, workplace transport, lifting operations, temporary works and changing site conditions. However, the lessons from construction apply much more widely. Many organisations manage construction-related activities through refurbishment projects, maintenance works, repairs and contractor-led improvements. Even businesses that are not construction companies may therefore find themselves managing similar risks Effective planning, contractor management and supervision remain essential wherever higher-risk work takes place.

As a starting point, employers may wish to:

• Review how contractors are selected, appointed and monitored, making sure competence is assessed rather than assumed.
• Check that arrangements for higher-risk activities are properly planned and communicated before work starts.
• Consider whether supervisors and managers have enough visibility of work activities to identify issues before they become incidents.

For further reading, see our training on Contractor Management or give us a call on 0131 516 1767 to discuss how we can assist you. HSE’s guidance on managing contractors is also a very useful read for organisations that use external companies or workers: https://www.hse.gov.uk/contractors/

4: Fatal risks need continued focus, assurance and review

Perhaps the most important message from this year’s statistics is that fatal incidents continue to arise from familiar workplace hazards. Falls from height, workplace transport, moving machinery and other high-risk activities have appeared consistently in HSE statistics over many years. This reinforces the importance of making sure existing controls remain effective rather than assuming that established arrangements will continue to work without review.

Employers may wish to:

• Identify which activities within their organisation have the potential to cause a fatal or life-changing incident.
• Review whether critical controls are understood by the people carrying out the work and checked regularly by managers.
• Use incidents, near misses and safety observations as opportunities to strengthen controls before something more serious happens.

Check out our Risk Assessment training and Behavioural Safety e-learning to get started. HSE’s guidance on managing health and safety risks provides a useful overview of the principles employers should consider: https://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/

5: The wider impact of workplace health and safety

As a final thought, the statistics remind us that safety responsibilities extend beyond your own workforce The HSE report also highlights that 104 members of the public lost their lives as a result of work-related activities during the year. For many organisations, employee safety is the main focus of their health and safety arrangements. However, businesses also have responsibilities towards customers, visitors, contractors and others who may be affected by their activities.

Employers may wish to:

• Consider whether members of the public and visitors are properly reflected within risk assessments and control measures.
• Review whether work areas, access routes and boundaries provide adequate protection for those who may be nearby.
• Check that contractors understand their responsibilities where their activities could affect others.

For further reading see our blog on RIDDOR and members of the public, and get in touch if you’d like a hand reviewing your approach to Health & Safety.