Construction deaths revealed

HSE reveals construction is still the most dangerous profession in latest report.

The Health and Safety Executive’s latest report on work related deaths has revealed that construction is still the most dangerous profession with 45 work-related deaths in 2022/3.

While Great Britain is still one of the safest countries to work, the HSE has reported a total of 135 work-related deaths in 2022/23, while there were 2,268 mesothelioma deaths in 2021 through past exposure to asbestos.

The industries following construction were agriculture, forestry, and fishing (21), manufacturing (15), and transportation and storage (15). Agriculture, forestry, and fishing has the highest rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers of all the main industrial sectors followed by waste and recycling.

The three most common causes of fatal injuries are falls from height (40), being struck by a moving object (29), and being struck by a moving vehicle (20).

The total of 135 worker deaths in 2022/23 is higher than the previous year (123) but is in line with pre-pandemic levels. The figure for 2020/21 was 145.

A further 68 members of the public were killed following a work-related incident in 2022/23. This is a decrease of 20 from last year.

HSE’s Chief Executive Sarah Albon said: “Any loss of life in the workplace is a tragedy.

“While these figures show Great Britain is one of the safest countries in the world to work, safety must continue to be at the top of everyone’s agenda.

“Our mission is to protect people and places and we remain committed to maintaining safe workplaces and holding employers to account for their actions.”

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