HSE Workplace Statistics 2024/25
2025 HSE Statistics: What the Latest UK Workplace Safety Data Reveals
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its annual health and safety statistics for Great Britain (2024–25)— and the figures paint a detailed picture of the current state of workplace safety in the UK. From rising rates of work-related ill health to persistent economic costs and notable injury statistics, the HSE statistics 2025 release highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in keeping workers safe and healthy.
Work-Related Ill Health: A Growing Concern
One of the most significant headlines from the HSE’s work-related ill health statistics is the sheer scale of workers affected by health conditions linked to their jobs. In 2024/25, an estimated 1.9 million working people reported suffering from a work-related illness — a figure that includes both new and longstanding cases.
Among these:
964,000 workers reported stress, depression, or anxiety caused or made worse by their work.
511,000 workers suffered from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) — often associated with manual handling or repetitive movement tasks.
These figures underscore a growing focus on mental health and musculoskeletal health at work, with stress, anxiety, and ergonomic strain now firmly recognised as major contributors to poor workplace health. These issues are consistently featured in HSE work-related illness data and remain at the forefront of health and safety conversations in the UK.
Workplace Injury and Fatality Figures
The latest HSE injury statistics also reveal concerning figures for accidents and injuries:
An estimated 680,000 working people sustained an injury at work during 2024/25, according to the Labour Force Survey (LFS). HSE
Employers reported 59,219 injuries under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). HSE
Tragically, 124 workers were killed in work-related accidents. HSE
These figures reveal a disparity between self-reported injuries and those formally reported by employers under RIDDOR — a trend that has been noted by workplace safety experts and can reflect variations in reporting practices across industries.
Economic Impact: The Cost of Poor Health and Safety
Beyond the human toll, the HSE statistics 2025 annual release highlights the economic burden of workplace risks. The estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions is a staggering £22.9 billion for the reference period 2023/24. HSE
This figure includes not only direct costs (such as medical treatment and compensation) but also indirect losses like reduced productivity, absence from work, and long-term disability. It illustrates how workplace health and safety is not just a moral or legal obligation, but also a critical business and economic issue.
Working Days Lost: A Measure of Impact
According to the latest HSE workplace injury and illness statistics, workplace health problems and injuries led to an estimated 40.1 million working days lost in 2024/25. HSE
This statistic is a key indicator of both the severity and the scale of work-related health issues. High numbers of lost working days affect employers, employees, and the broader economy — highlighting why organisations are increasingly prioritising preventive health and safety strategies.
What These Figures Mean for Employers and Workers
The HSE’s comprehensive annual statistics provide valuable insights for employers, health and safety professionals, policymakers, and workers alike. Here are some key takeaways:
Mental health awareness at work is more important than ever. With nearly a million workers reporting stress, depression, or anxiety due to their job, wellbeing initiatives and workplace support systems are critical.
Musculoskeletal disorders remain a major driver of ill health, especially in sectors with high physical demand. Ergonomic assessments and manual handling training can make a tangible difference.
Fatalities and severe injuries continue to occur, reminding employers that accident prevention and risk management must remain top priorities.
Economic losses from workplace harm are substantial, which supports the business case for investment in safety and health programmes.
Looking Ahead: Continued Monitoring and Action
The HSE statistics for 2024–25 reaffirm that while Great Britain remains one of the safer places to work compared to many other countries, significant challenges remain. Monitoring these trends annually helps organisations respond proactively — from adopting better mental health support strategies to revising safety protocols and strengthening reporting compliance.
As future HSE statistics releases are published, they will provide further insights into trends over time, including comparisons by industry, region, and long-term shifts in workplace health patterns. For now, stakeholders across the UK should use the 2025 data to inform evidence-based interventions, promote a culture of safety, and ultimately reduce the burden of ill health and injury at work.