In the last year, 126 workers were killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain. HSE’s annual data release covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026.
This year the regular annual update is complemented by new analysis, comparing the level and trend of fatal injuries to workers in Great Britain with a selection of 35 other countries.
Apart from the years affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the number of worker deaths in 2025 to 2026 is provisionally the lowest number recorded in a single year.
The most common causes of fatal injuries are:
HSE has also published the annual figures for mesothelioma, a cancer caused by past exposure to asbestos.
2,146 people died from the disease in 2024, which is lower than the average of 2,508 deaths per year during the period 2011 to 2020.
Find out more in our fatal injury statistics press release.
Work-related stress: free webinar and new video
Free webinar: Work-related stress and how to manage it 12 August, 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
Hear from HSE and our publishing partner TSO about the resources and tools available that can help workplaces successfully manage work-related stress. Topics covered include:
+ stress management standards
+ stress indicator tool
The webinar will conclude with a live audience Q and A.
Register for our webinar: Work-related stress and how to manage it
Working Minds campaign: new video
HSE’s Working Minds campaign helps employers prevent work-related stress and support good mental health at work.
As part of the campaign a new video has been created which highlights how early action and simple conversations can help reduce the risk of work-related stress.
Watch the video: Prevent stress before it starts.
You can also find HSE guidance on stress and mental health at work.
HSE has refreshed its entertainment and leisure industry guidance
Our entertainment and leisure industry guidance has been refreshed to make it easier to protect people and places in this sector.
The guidance has been reorganised and grouped together to make it easier to protect workers and members of the public in:
- organising fairgrounds and buying, examining, operating and using fairground rides safely
- safely managing and operating leisure activities like swimming pools and sports clubs
- meeting your duties whether you are an employer, self-employed or a freelancer in film, theatre and broadcasting
- complying with construction regulations
- buying, hiring or safely operating bouncy castles and other inflatables
- striking a balance in safe children’s play and leisure
To find out how our guidance can help you keep your business or organisation safe and comply with the law, visit our entertainment and leisure industry webpages.
Event company and director sentenced after worker suffers life-changing injuries
A worker sustained multiple back fractures, a punctured lung and a broken leg while dismantling an internal steel frame.
The incident occurred as a ratchet strap was being used to lower a steel beam weighing over 100kg but it was not designed for lifting or lowering loads and failed. This caused the beam to fall onto a worker, who had raised concerns with the director about whether this method was safe.
HSE’s investigation found that the dismantling work had not been properly planned or carried out safely.
The events structure company was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £6,949 in costs. The company director received a community order with 75 hours of unpaid work to be completed.
Read more about the incident in our press release: Company and director fined after worker suffers life-changing injuries during steel frame dismantling.
For more health and safety stories visit our news centre.
Watch HSE’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026
HSE’s AGM was held on 28 July and is now available to watch back on-demand.
The AGM provided stakeholders and members of the public an opportunity to learn more about our work, priorities and plans for the future.
It also included a question and answer session with our Board and Executive Committee.
Watch the AGM on HSE’s website.
