Construction has one of the highest injury rates across all industries in the UK and fatal accidents remain a serious concern. Josh McNicholas of Evalu-8 EHS breaks down the recent injury trends and shares what can be done to ensure worker safety
The foundations of the UK’s construction industry are currently being shaken by a deepening crisis in workplace safety. Year after year, this vital sector consistently records one of the highest injury rates across all industries, a disturbing trend that shows little to no signs of adapting.
Despite heightened scrutiny from regulators and persistent calls for more robust health and safety measures, the proportion of fatal accidents continues to cause issues for the construction sector each year.
Recent statistics released by the Health & Safety Executive demonstrate how the industry is falling short in reducing preventable incidents.
Fatal injuries
In 2023-24, 51 workers lost their lives in the construction sector. Fatal injuries in construction have been steadily increasing over the last 10 years, and fatalities in construction made up a massive 37% of overall worker fatality figures for 2023-24, making it the most hazardous industry in the UK.
The industry’s internal data reveals a deeply concerning pattern, demanding an urgent re-evaluation of current safety protocols. This steady increase shows a desperate need for a shift in safety protocols within this sector.
Leading causes
Beneath the surface of these devastating fatalities lies a pervasive issue of non-fatal injuries, largely stemming from everyday hazards such as slips, trips, falls and improper handling or lifting.
Across all industries in 2022-2023, slips and trips made up 32% of employer-reported non-fatal injuries, while handling injuries made up 17%.
These alarming figures are mirrored, and often amplified, within construction workplaces. Each year, about 78,000 construction workers report ill health, with injuries ranging from musculoskeletal disorders to lung diseases.
Mental health and safety
Beyond the physical toll, the mental wellbeing of construction workers is also under immense strain.
In 2023-2024, approximately 1.7m workers across the UK suffered from a work-related illness (new or longstanding), with stress, depression or anxiety cases accounting for about half of these.
When workers are mentally exhausted or overwhelmed, their ability to follow safety procedures diminishes, leading to increased mistakes, reduced communication and an overall decline in safety, creating a vicious cycle that further exacerbates the risks on site.
To improve these figures and prevent the rising increase in injuries, it’s essential that employers look at adopting new processes such as:
1. Real-time injury reporting: As construction processes become faster and more complex, traditional reporting systems, which often rely on delayed or paper-based documentation, are no longer sufficient to protect workers in dynamic industrial settings.
2. Identify recurring hazards: Having a technology-based system, where you can easily see trends, means business owners can implement new safety measures for staff much faster than before.
3. Continuous risk assessments: Identify potential hazards before they lead to injuries. If the industry wants to see a steadier decline in injuries, employers must improve worker safety and support better regulatory compliance.
The statistics indicate that construction remains the UK’s most hazardous industry, with an alarming rise in both fatal and non-fatal injuries, compounded by a significant mental health burden on its workforce.
The traditional approaches to health and safety are clearly falling short. To reverse this worrying trend and protect lives, the industry must embrace proactive, technology-driven solutions.
Implementing real-time injury reporting, leveraging data to identify recurring hazards and conducting continuous risk assessments are not just good practices; they are essential steps toward fostering a truly safe and compliant construction environment.
The trends in statistics indicate that there is a need for a fundamental shift in how the UK approaches workplace safety in construction.
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