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Workplace risks revealed | HSE 2024/25 report shows rising injuries and ill health
Written on 21 November 2025
Providing a safe, healthy workplace should be a top priority for all employers. But how well are workplaces actually achieving this goal?
Each year, the HSE publishes summary statistics for Great Britain, providing fresh insight into how well organisations are managing the risks of work-related injury and ill health. This follows its annual fatal injuries report released in July.
Here’s what the 2024/25 figures reveal.
How many people were injured at work in 2024/25?
According to self-reports from the Labour Force Survey, around 680,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury in the workplace during 2024/25. That’s up from 604,000 in 2023/24 – an increase of approximately 12.6%.
Nick Wilson, Director of Health & Safety Services at WorkNest, says: “Interestingly, while self-reported injuries have risen, employer-reported non-fatal injuries under RIDDOR have fallen from 61,663 to 59,219. This suggests the increase is largely in lower-severity incidents that don’t trigger formal reporting requirements – or that workers are becoming more open about reporting issues than employers are.”
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What are the key causes of workplace injury?
Three-quarters of all non-fatal workplace injuries continue to stem from the same five accident kinds:
- Slips, trips or falls on the same level (30%)
- Handling, lifting or carrying (17%)
- Struck by a moving object (10%)
- Acts of violence (10%)
- Falls from height (8%)
Nick says: “The fact that the top five causes haven’t shifted in years suggests employers are still struggling with the basics. These aren’t obscure or emerging risks; they’re well-known, predictable, and preventable. That consistency highlights an important truth: the biggest risks remain the everyday ones.”
How many people suffered ill health at work in 2024/25?
According to the latest figures, 1.9 million workers were suffering from an illness they believed was caused or worsened by work in 2024/25, up from 1.7 million in 2023/24. This includes 730,000 new cases, compared with 609,000 the previous year, and resulted in 35.7 million working days lost, an increase from 29.6 million in 2023/24.
As in previous years, over three-quarters of these workplace ill health cases can be attributed to just two key causes: stress, depression or anxiety (52%) and musculoskeletal disorders (27%).
Nick warns: “Employers must treat ill health with the same importance as physical injuries, recognising the impact on both individuals and the wider workforce. The HSE has made it clear that work-related ill health is now its primary focus – it completed over 7,000 inspections specifically targeting ill-health risks last year and has promised more. Ignoring these risks not only exposes you to enforcement but can also harm overall business performance.”
How many people experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2024/25?
Work-related mental health issues have risen sharply over the past year. In 2024/25, an estimated 964,000 workers were suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, up from 776,000 in 2023/24. This includes 409,000 new cases, compared with 300,000 new cases the previous year.
The impact on productivity has grown even faster. In 2024/25, 22.1 million working days were lost due to stress, depression or anxiety – up from 16.4 million days the previous year. In other words, while the number of affected workers increased by around 24%, the total days lost rose by roughly 35%.
Nick Wilson explains: “This suggests that, on average, employees are taking more time off per case, indicating that work-related mental health issues may be becoming more severe or harder to manage. It also highlights the importance of early intervention and proactive support to help reduce disruption for both individuals and teams.”
How much does injury and ill health cost employers?
Excluding long-latency illnesses such as cancer, the total annual cost of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health – to employers, employees, and the government – is estimated at £22.9 billion.
This breaks down as:
- £16.4 billion for work-related ill health
- £6.5 billion for workplace injury
Of the total, £4.3 billion is borne directly by employers, highlighting the significant financial impact of health and safety risks beyond the human cost. Take non-fatal injuries for example: 18% resulted in absence of over seven days, costing employers in SSP, lost productivity, and the need to cover or reorganise staff.
Nick says: “This serves as a reminder that health and safety practices aren’t just a ‘nice to have’ – they directly affect businesses’ operations and bottom line. Investing in prevention is both a legal responsibility and a smart business move.”
Which sectors have the highest rates of injury?
The same three industries continue to experience higher-than-average rates of work-related ill health:
- Public administration and defence
- Human health and social work
- Education
Meanwhile, certain sectors have statistically higher rates of non-fatal workplace injuries compared to the overall industry average:
- Accommodation and food service activities
- Construction
- Transportation and storage
- Wholesale and retail trade, including motor vehicle repair
Historically, agriculture, forestry, and fishing has also shown elevated rates, but no estimate is available for this latest period.
Nick comments: “Some industries are inherently more high-risk than others, but that doesn’t mean we should simply accept high rates of injury and ill health, especially where known risks are present. Specific, targeted interventions are necessary to ensure people can work safely in any role.”
Are workplaces becoming safer?
The picture is mixed, with recent statistics showing that long-term improvements have plateaued:
- Work-related ill health is above pre-pandemic levels. In the years before COVID-19, self-reported rates were broadly flat. Over the past three years, they have been higher than the 2018/19 pre-pandemic level. In 2024/25, the ill-health rate reached 5,360 per 100,000 workers. For context, this is lower than the 1990 rate (~6,000) but higher than the 2009 rate (~4,000), highlighting that ill health remains a persistent challenge.
- Work-related non-fatal injuries are no longer declining. Before the pandemic, self-reported injuries were steadily falling. Over the last three years, rates have levelled out, remaining similar to the 2018/19 pre-pandemic figure. In 2024/25, the non-fatal injury rate was 2,070 per 100,000 workers. For comparison, this is down from around 4,000 per 100,000 in 2000/01, showing that long-term progress has now plateaued.
- Employer-reported injuries continue to fall. RIDDOR figures still show a long-term decline, reflecting sustained improvements in managing more serious incidents.
In short, workplaces are safer than they were decades ago, but progress has stalled in recent years, and the recent rise in work-related ill health is a significant concern.
5 actions for employers
Focus on ill health
Treat work-related ill health with the same priority as physical injuries. Early intervention, proactive support, and wellbeing initiatives can reduce absence and protect productivity.
Don’t overlook basic, well-known risks
Slips, trips, manual handling, and other everyday hazards remain the leading causes of injury. Regular training, risk assessments, and consistent safety measures can prevent most incidents.
Monitor absences and support return to work
Tracking patterns in absence can help to identify emerging risks. Support employees to return safely and effectively, which helps reduce long-term disruption and costs.
Be proactive, not reactive
Don’t wait for incidents to occur. Anticipate risks, implement preventive measures, and address hazards before they result in injury or ill health.
Invest in specialist support
Poor health and safety practices cost your business money. The right support ensures compliance, prevents incidents, and provides you peace of mind – especially if you don’t have the time or expertise in-house.
Get safety sorted
At WorkNest, we understand that when you’re trying to run a business, health and safety can become a burden. But it doesn’t have to be.
Our personalised, fixed-fee service includes everything from dedicated consultant support and bespoke documentation to a tailored General Risk Assessment, annual audits, and unlimited helpdesk advice.
We’ll set you up with risk management software to help you stay on top of things, and if an incident occurs, we’ll be here to advise and support you, providing assurance and peace of mind.
The goal? To help you simplify safety management, save time, and stay compliant.
To find out more, get in touch with our team on 0345 226 8393 or request your free consultation using the button below.
