The latest HSE statistics offer an important snapshot of the health and safety landscape across the construction sector. For those of us committed to raising standards and protecting our workforce, these figures highlight both steady progress and areas that demand continued focus.
At SIMIAN, we take these insights seriously. They guide the way we support businesses, shape our training and consultancy services, and reinforce our commitment to ensuring every worker returns home safely.
1. Work-Related Ill Health in Construction
The HSE reports that an average of 79,000 construction workers experienced work-related ill health (new or long-standing) across the period 2022/23 – 2024/25.
While ill health rates have remained relatively stable compared with pre-pandemic levels, showing no statistically significant change from the 2016/17 – 2018/19 baseline, the figures underline a persistent challenge for the industry.
The breakdown of self-reported ill health continues to point towards three primary areas:
- Stress, depression and anxiety
- Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
- Other physical health conditions arising from site exposure
From our perspective, this reinforces the ongoing need for improved welfare standards, better ergonomic controls, greater awareness around mental health, and early intervention strategies that protect long-term wellbeing.
2. Fatal Injuries
The construction sector recorded 35 worker fatalities in 2024/25, slightly lower than the five-year average of 40. Tragically, 4 members of the public also lost their lives, consistent with the five-year average.
The leading causes of fatal injuries remain unchanged, with the top five categories showing the greatest impact:
- Falls from height
- Being struck by moving vehicles
- Being struck by moving or falling objects
- Contact with moving machinery
- Trapped by something collapsing or overturning
These accident types reflect well-known, high-risk activities in construction, areas where strong planning, competent supervision, and rigorous safety controls are essential.
For us at SIMIAN, these figures reaffirm a simple truth: when working at height and in rapidly changing environments, there can be no compromise on control measures, standards, or competence.
3. Non-Fatal Injuries
An average of 50,000 construction workers sustained a non-fatal injury at work across 2022/23 – 2024/25.
RIDDOR data highlights the accident types responsible for 10% or more of non-fatal injuries, including:
- Slips, trips and falls
- Falls from height
- Injuries from lifting and handling
- Contact with moving objects or machinery
These incidents may not be fatal, but they contribute to thousands of lost working days, personal hardship, and major operational disruption across the industry.
SIMIAN’s Perspective
The construction industry continues to make progress, but the statistics clearly show that major challenges remain. Whether it’s preventing falls from height, tackling long-term ill health, or reducing the volume of non-fatal injuries, the sector must continue to push for higher standards.
Jamie Lyons, SIMIAN Senior Health & Safety Advisor comments:
The latest HSE figures really highlight what most of us already know – Construction is making progress, but there’s still a long way to go. The number of people suffering with work-related ill health, and the continued level of serious injuries, show just how important it is for businesses to keep pushing for better standards. At SIMIAN, our job is to help turn these statistics into real improvements on site by making work safer, helping teams feel confident in what they’re doing through training, and supporting companies to build a healthier, more positive safety culture.
At SIMIAN, we remain fully committed to supporting businesses in achieving safer, healthier and more resilient operations. Through expert training, consultancy, site audits, and specialist scaffolding safety support, we help organisations:
- Strengthen their compliance
- Improve workforce competence
- Embed consistent safe working practices
- Reduce the risk of both immediate injuries and long-term health impacts
At SIMIAN, our consultancy team works closely with businesses to strengthen compliance, reduce risk and build safer sites. Find out more about our retained Health & Safety services here.