Falls from a height accounted for around a quarter of fatal injuries to workers in 2025/26, continuing as the main cause of work-related fatal injury as in almost every year since at least 2001/02, according to the latest work-related injury statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).  Over half of all deaths in construction in the last five-year period were due to falls from height.

The latest statistics show that for the period from April 2025 to March 2026, 126 workers were killed in work related incidents in Great Britain, a decrease of 2 from the previous 12 month period.  Additionally, the statistics show that 104 members of the public were killed in work-related incidents, an increase of 8. 

The construction and agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors continue to suffer the greatest number of workplace fatalities each year, between them accounting for over a third of all fatal injuries to workers in 2025/26. With 25 fatal injuries, the construction sector again accounts for the largest share of fatal injuries to workers of all main industry sectors. 

Males continue to account for the vast majority of worker fatal injuries, with 93% of workers fatally injured in 2025/26 being men, a similar proportion to earlier years. Workers aged 60 and over accounted for around a third of all worker fatalities in 2025/26, even though such workers made up only 12% of the workforce.

Whilst the number of fatal accidents in the construction sector has decreased over the last year, the HSE will take note of the fact that the rate of decrease is slowing – and that falls from height continue as the main cause of fatal accident, a situation which has shown little change over the last 25 years. This will no doubt inform future inspections. 

The HSE will want to see continued improvement on reducing workplace fatalities and in particular on reducing the incidence of falls from height. Duty holders should take note; there will be disappointment in the HSE that such incidents continue to feature as a dominant cause of workplace fatalities, particularly in construction, with inspections likely to pay particular attention to the measures put in place to mitigate such risk. These should be regularly reviewed and updated with steps taken to ensure they are followed in practice

The HSE’s statistics are drawn from reports made under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), which, in essence, require work-related incidents involving specified injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences to be notified to the appropriate regulator (the HSE or Office for Nuclear Regulation for nuclear facilities under their control). In particular, where a person dies as a result of a work-related incident, a report must be submitted.  However, there can be confusion over the precise meaning of “work-related” and in relation to the causal link between an incident and work. 

In its recent consultation, the HSE set out its proposals to clarify these matters, which will largely be through additional guidance and examples. The HSE hopes this will lead to better quality data, with fewer unnecessary reports. Whether it will achieve this aim remains to be seen, as will its impact on future statistic reporting.  However, there is concern that, at least in the short term, the current proposals may result in an increase in reporting, with a consequent dilution on the quality of data provided. 

RIDDOR reporting is undoubtedly important, for example, flagging where problems lie and guiding regulatory inspections, to aid efficient use of resources. However, the data reports provide must be as accurate as possible. Over reporting can be as damaging as under reporting, so care will be required to ensure any changes to the reporting process are well thought through and balance their costs and benefits for all stakeholders.

Kevin Bridges is a partner and head of health and safety at Pinsent Masons. For more information, visit www.pinsentmasons.com