What Are Britain’s Most Dangerous Workplaces?

Workplace safety is a critical concern for every industry, but the risks vary significantly depending on the nature of the work. While some professions face dangers from hazardous materials or heavy machinery, others may be more prone to the threat of violence or physical assault.

Every year, the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) records over 100 workplace fatalities in the UK, highlighting the importance of addressing these risks. The HSE also reports that each year, there are around 650,000 incidents of violence at work, with nearly 300,000 of these incidents being classified as assaults.

These statistics make it clear that workplace safety is not a one-size-fits-all issue. Each industry faces unique challenges and understanding these risks is essential for employers looking to fulfil their duty of care and create a safer work environment.

The Most Dangerous Industries in Britain

Identifying the most dangerous workplaces in Britain involves looking at the industries with the highest rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries. By assessing which sectors report the most accidents and severe incidents it’s clear to see where the greatest risks lie and understand the types of challenges faced by workers.

1. Construction

The construction industry is frequently cited as one of the most dangerous workplaces in Britain. With heavy machinery, working at height, and hazardous materials, construction workers face significant risks every day.

In 2023/24, the construction sector recorded 51 fatalities, accounting for over one-third of all workplace deaths in the UK. Additionally, there were 61,000 non-fatal injuries reported in this industry over the past 12 months, many of which involved falls, being struck by moving objects, or accidents involving heavy machinery.

2. Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing may not immediately come to mind when thinking of hazardous jobs, but these sectors are consistently among the most dangerous.

In 2023/24, there were 23 fatalities in this industry. Considering its size, agriculture has the highest fatality rate at 8.23 per 100,000 workers which is 20 times higher than the all-industry rate.

The risks faced by workers include the use of heavy equipment, exposure to hazardous chemicals and working alone. To help combat these figures, Peoplesafe has partnered with the NFU offering our round-the-clock protection to members at a specially discounted price.

3. Manufacturing

Manufacturing is another high-risk industry, with workers frequently exposed to machinery, chemicals and other hazardous materials.

In 2023/24, the manufacturing sector saw 16 fatalities and recorded 59,000 non-fatal injuries. The sector’s wide range of activities, from food production to heavy industrial manufacturing, means that safety challenges vary considerably across the industry.

To address these risks, Peoplesafe has partnered with Make UK, to enhance worker protection in the manufacturing sector. This partnership provides Make UK members with access to cutting-edge safety solutions and expert guidance on creating effective in-house safety programs.

4. Admin and Support Services

Although less commonly highlighted, admin and support services also present considerable risks, with 12 fatalities in this sector in 2023/24, making it the fourth most dangerous industry.

This sector includes roles such as facilities managers, maintenance staff, and IT support, which often involve working in potentially hazardous environments. Along with the inherent risks of these tasks, many involve lone working, which increases the severity of risks due to the lack of immediate assistance in an emergency.

5. Transport and Storage

The transport and storage sector, which includes warehousing, logistics, and delivery services, poses significant risks due to the high volume of vehicle movements and manual handling tasks.

In 2023/24, there were 11 fatalities in this sector, with 51,000 non-fatal injuries reported. The most common incidents involve being struck by a vehicle, falls from vehicles, and injuries from lifting and handling goods. The sector also faces emerging risks such as theft-related incidents and violence, further complicating safety concerns.

Causes of Workplace Accidents

While each industry has its unique hazards, certain types of accidents are prevalent across all sectors:

• Falls from Height: This remains the leading cause of fatal injuries in the workplace, particularly in construction. The HSE reports that falls from height account for at least 50 fatalities every year.
• Being Struck by a Moving Vehicle or Object: Whether it’s a vehicle, machinery or falling tools, being struck by a moving item is a common cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries. This type of accident led to 45 fatalities in the most recent figures.
• Slips, Trips, and Falls: These incidents, while often non-fatal, can result in severe injuries, particularly fractures and sprains. Slips, trips, and falls account for nearly a third of non-fatal injuries.
• Manual Handling Injuries: Lifting, carrying and moving heavy objects can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, which are a significant cause of long-term absence from work. Typically, manual handling is responsible for around 15% of all non-fatal injuries.

Violence at Work

As well as workplace illness and injury, it’s also important to recognise that many employees face the risk of violence and aggression on the job.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), incidents of violence at work remain a serious concern, with almost 300,000 adults experiencing violence at work. This issue goes beyond physical harm, as the threat of violence can have lasting psychological impacts on workers.

Protective Service Occupations

The Crime Survey for England and Wales reveals that those working in protective service occupations are the most likely to experience violence at work.

Protection service occupations include roles such as police officers, prison guards, paramedics and firefighters. 8.6% of those surveyed in this sector, had reported that they had either been assaulted or threatened. This is 6 times the national average of 1.4% making it one of the UK’s most dangerous occupations.

Health and Social Care Professionals

Those working in health and social care are the second most likely to experience violence at work. Many workers in this industry often have to make home visits and care for those who are in difficult situations, facing mental health problems or tackling addiction.

The survey shows that 4.4% had experienced assault or had been threatened at some point in their careers, making them over 3 times more likely to experience violence at work than the average UK worker.

What Can Be Done to Improve the Safety of Employees?

The statistics underscore the critical need for robust health and safety measures across all industries. Especially as employers are not only legally required to assess workplace risks, but also to implement strategies to mitigate them.

On many occasions, having more than one member of staff present can deter potential attackers. However, lone workers face unique challenges as they are more vulnerable to violence while working alone. Without the immediacy of another colleague, lone workers can find themselves in unsafe situations and face difficulties trying to get assistance. In these situations, it is crucial to provide lone workers with personal safety technology, providing a reliable way for workers to call for help.

A safety devices focussed company, such as Peoplesafe, works creating specialist devices and apps that provide a direct link to a dedicated Alarm Receiving Centre, available 24/7 to handle emergency situations. Users can carry a discreet wearable device or have access to an SOS app that allows them to raise an alarm at the press of a button.

Once activated, the alarm immediately connects to the ARC, opening a two-way audio channel and providing the alarm controller with the user’s real-time location and information from their personal profile. Expertly trained controllers assess the situation and coordinate the appropriate response, bypassing 999 to contact the emergency services and notifying pre-determined escalation contacts if necessary.

Peoplesafe’s tech solutions can also be equipped with additional functionalities such as fall detection and timed activity monitoring. Fall detection automatically raises an alarm if the user experiences a slip, trip, or fall, ensuring that help is dispatched without requiring manual intervention. The timed activity feature allows users to set a timer for tasks, triggering an alarm if they fail to confirm their safety within the expected timeframe. This ensures that lone workers are not left without support for extended periods, saving critical time in emergencies.

The speed of response provided by Peoplesafe’s service can dramatically impact the outcome of emergencies. For example, if a worker has an accident while carrying out routine maintenance, it may take hours for someone to notice they are missing. However, with Peoplesafe we detect issues within the timeframe of the task at hand, significantly reducing the time it takes for help to arrive and improving the chances of a positive outcome.

By integrating employee safety technology into day-to-day operations, employers can significantly enhance the safety of their employees, providing them with vital support in emergency situations and ensuring that help is always accessible.