Workplace health and safety are vital concerns across the UK. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)’s recent statistics for 2023/24 highlight several recurring hazards—from mental ill health to physical injuries—that continue to challenge organisations.
According to HSE, approximately 1.7 million workers reported work‑related ill health in 2023/24, compared with 1.8 million the previous year. Nearly half of these cases—around 776,000 workers—cited stress, depression or anxiety. These mental health issues were responsible for a staggering 16.4 million lost working days according to HSE’s figures. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as back pain and joint issues, affected approximately 543,000 workers, contributing another 7.8 million days lost.
Non-fatal injuries remain prevalent: HSE reports about 604,000 workers sustained a non-fatal workplace injury in 2023/24, resulting in 4.1 million lost working days (4.1 million days lost). The most common causes include slips, trips, and falls (31% of incidents), manual handling (17%), contact with moving objects (10%) and violence (9%), while falls from height contributed 8% (HSE summary).
Slips, trips and falls—often underestimated—were responsible for nearly one-third of all non-fatal injuries in 2023/24. This equates to roughly 187,240 preventable injuries—a major risk factor across sectors according to SafeWorkforce’s analysis. These incidents are common in hospitality, construction, logistics, and retail environments.
Tragically, there were 138 workplace fatalities during 2023/24—up from 135 the year before (HSE press release). The most at-risk industries include construction, agriculture, transport, and manufacturing. Notably, falls from height remain a leading fatal hazard.
Chronic exposure to hazardous substances remains a silent killer. Though not reported yearly, occupational lung diseases such as mesothelioma continue claiming lives. HSE estimates around 20,000 new breathing problems arise annually due to dust and chemicals, and approximately 12,000 occupational lung-disease deaths each year owing to prolonged exposure (TRA summary).
The financial impact is equally concerning. In 2023/24, the economic cost of workplace injury and ill health reached an estimated £21.6 billion, of which injuries accounted for £7.1 billion and illness for £14.5 billion (WorkNest). These figures include loss of output, medical care, sick pay, and the human toll.
What should employers do? Firstly, mental health must be treated as seriously as visible safety risks. The HSE chair called for a “fundamental shift” in addressing work-related ill health—with stress risk assessments, health surveillance, and collaborative prevention strategies (BritSafe report).
Ergonomic interventions—like proper manual handling training and workstation design—can significantly reduce MSDs. Regular housekeeping and hazard checks help prevent slips and trips. For chemical and dust risks, strict COSHH controls, PPE, and health monitoring are essential. Finally, high-risk industries must implement strong fall-prevention protocols, machinery and vehicle safety measures, and effective use of PPE.
By tackling these hazard categories—mental ill health; MSDs; slips, trips and falls; non-fatal injuries; fatalities; and long-term exposure risks—organisations can substantially improve workplace safety, reduce costs, and build a healthier, more resilient workforce.
