The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its annual on work-related fatal injury statistics. In the period April 2024 to March 2025, there were a total of 124 worker deaths, down 14 from the previous year. The most common causes of work-related fatal injury were fall from height, being struck by a moving object and being trapped by something collapsing or overturning, accounting for 60% of all fatal injuries. Construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for the highest number of deaths across all industries.
Comparatively, nonfatal injuries differ markedly to fatal injuries. Falling from height, as the most common fatal injury, only accounted for 8% of nonfatal injuries. Slips, trips or falls on the same level, and injury while handling, lifting or carrying, accounted for almost half of all employer-reported nonfatal injuries, yet the same two accident types only accounted for 1% of fatal injuries to workers.
The latest HSE Annual Report and accounts showed around 9% of the 60,645 nonfatal injuries reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) were investigated, and there were 216 criminal prosecutions, with a 94% conviction rate.
An example of an HSE prosecution following a fatal injury resulting a fall from height can be seen in the case of East Riding Sacks Ltd, which is a manufacturer of paper sacks. Mr. Pinder, from York, had been operating one of the production lines when a blockage occurred on the upper deck of the machinery. After identifying the cause, he attempted to remove the blockage. He had been standing on the stationary metal rollers when his colleagues witnessed part of the machine being activated – Mr Pinder was struck by the machine, which caused him to lose his footing. Mr Pinder fell approximately three metres from the unguarded edge of the metal rollers to the factory floor below. Mr Pinder died at the scene as a result of his injuries, and the HSE began an investigation into this.
East Riding Sacks pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which states that it shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. This case emphasised some key takeaways in relation to HSE guidance that states employers must take effective measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery and to avoid work at height where possible. Where routine access is required to components, suitable measures should be taken to stop the movement of dangerous parts before a person can reach a danger zone. The employer has a duty to take reasonably practicable steps to avoid the risk. We can help your organisation by ensuring effective regulatory compliance and effective risk management. Should a fatal or nonfatal injury occur within your organisation, we can assist with cooperation in HSE investigations and enforcements, and assist with defending prosecutions.