The top three fatal workplace safety hazards in 2022 revealed

By Focus on Testing

31 Aug 2023

umit-yildirim-Ass0DusYDk4-unsplash (1).jpg.jpg

Alarming figures show that 135 workers died in work-related incidents over the last year in the UK.  

Imagine John, a dedicated construction worker with a wife and two kids at home.

One day, while working on a high-rise building, he slips off the scaffolding. His safety harness, which hadn't been appropriately inspected, fails. 

His co-workers watch in horror as he falls to the ground. This tragedy, like 135 others in the UK last year, should have been preventable.

Are you ignoring your workplace safety obligations?

With unsettling statistics surrounding work-related fatalities in Great Britain over the last year - it’s worth asking whether you’re protecting your workforce from the most common causes of workplace fatalities.

Or are you simply crossing your fingers and hoping that you’ll get lucky?

In the pursuit of profits and productivity, safety can often take the back seat for businesses. 

You’re busy. We get it. 

But when you remember that behind each statistic was a person with family, friends and dreams - burying your head in the sand becomes difficult.

As well as this, from a purely financial standpoint, last year, there were an astounding 36.8 million working days lost due to work-related ill health and non-fatal workplace injuries. 

So, can you still afford to take this shortcut? Probably not.

The most common causes of workplace fatalities

Let’s take a look at the three most common causes of workplace fatalities in 2022 / 23, according to new data from the HSE.

  1. Falls from heights
    40 people died by falling from heights whilst at work last year. This makes it the most common cause of fatalities in the workplace for yet another year. 
  2. Being struck by a moving object
    The second-highest number of workplace deaths was caused by being struck by a moving object. This resulted in 29 people losing their lives due to accidents at work last year. 
  3. Being struck by a moving vehicle
    Finally, 20 lives were lost due to being struck by a moving vehicle, making it the third most common cause of workplace fatal injuries last year. 

The industries with the highest death rates

Whilst accidents can occur in any workplace, certain industries are more prone to specific hazards due to the nature of the work involved.

Factors such as the working environment, the type of machinery or substances used, the intensity of the labour, and the different safety measures in place can create varying levels of risk.

The new data from the HSE show that workplace fatalities are most common in the following industries: 

  • Construction - 45 deaths
  • Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing - 21 deaths
  • Manufacturing - 15 deaths
  • Transportation and Storage - 15 deaths

Workplace safety: Long-term hazards - Asbestos

But although immediate hazards like falls and moving objects account for most workplace fatalities, there are also long-term risks that you shouldn’t ignore. 

One of the most insidious and dangerous of these is exposure to asbestos, a material that has left a troubling legacy in many industries.

The HSE has released crucial data on Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by previous exposure to asbestos:

In 2021, 2,268 people died from the disease. This is a fall of 302 compared with the 2,570 deaths in 2020 and substantially lower than the average of 2,520 deaths per year between 2012 and 2019. However, these are still devastating figures nonetheless. Additionally, they serve as a stark reminder of the importance of an ongoing workplace safety culture and Asbestos Sampling.

If you’re unsure whether your workplace contains asbestos, find out how we can help you here.

What is the long-term solution?

While immediate measures are necessary to tackle urgent safety concerns, long-term safety in the workplace needs to be addressed through a structured, comprehensive approach.

The best way to do this? By having regular Commercial Health and Safety Risk Assessments.

What are Commercial Health and Safety Risk Assessments?

Stick with us here. They might sound boring, but we're here to make them easy for you.

Commercial Health and Safety Risk Assessment systematically examine your workplace for potential hazards and risks.

These assessments are not a one-time event. Instead, they should be part of your ongoing safety efforts and regularly updated and reviewed to ensure they remain relevant to your business.

And yes, they are tedious, but they’re a legal requirement. So there’s no getting out of them. Failure to carry out and record the results of your assessments can result in hefty fines and investigations from the HSE. 

Workplace safety is critical…

The truth is that workplace safety isn’t a static goal but an ongoing commitment. It isn’t just about ticking boxes or avoiding penalties. It’s about valuing human lives and recognising the lasting impact safety has on employee well-being and the success of your businesses.

The role of workplace safety measures has never been more urgent. And that's where we can help you.

Whether you need a hand uncovering hidden electrical issues, assessing fire risks, or conducting thorough surveys for asbestos - the Focus On Testing team is on hand to offer a strategic approach to a safe working environment.

Curious about how we can help your business get up to scratch? Give us a call on 0330 088 4597.

Latest news

1

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud James Cole

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud

03 Jul 2025

2

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector Mo Isap Chair Of The Lancashire Business Board Nick Miles National Cyber Force Deputy Director For Samlesbury Annette Weekes Representative Of The NWRDSC

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector

03 Jul 2025

3

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire BAE Systems Radar

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire

02 Jul 2025

4

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

5

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin