Fatal Accident Comparing Work to Everyday Accidents

The HSE recently published their latest statistics for fatal accidents at work. These found that of the 138 fatal injuries in 2023/24, the most common fatal incidents to workers involved were:

• Falls from a height (50 fatalities)
• Being struck by a moving vehicle (25)
• Being struck by a moving object (20)
• Being trapped by something collapsing/overturning (15)
• Contact with moving machinery (8)

While these figures do not include fatal injuries involving workers travelling on a public highway or by air or sea, they do give a picture of what the other higher-risk activities are. But how does that picture compare with accidents in everyday life?

The Office for National Statistics collects mortality data for England and Wales; the latest figures cover 2022, and these show that of 577,160 deaths, 17,845 (approximately 3%) were accidental.

Similar to workplaces, at 8,260 deaths, falls were the most common type of fatal accident. In the majority of cases, the statistics did not specify whether this was a fall on the same level or a fall from height; however, height was a factor in over two-thirds of cases where this detail was available.

Unlike workplaces at 4,403 deaths, accidental poisoning was the next most common type. In the majority of cases, drugs or alcohol were the substance involved; however, there were also 12 deaths involving pesticides and 39 involving other gases and vapours.

Land transport accidents were responsible for 1,283 deaths.

Excluding drowning and submersion, which accounted for 238 deaths, other threats to breathing (643 deaths) were the next most common cause. As well as accidental strangulation and breathing issues caused by trapped food, this also included 2 cases of people being trapped in a low-oxygen environment.

Exposure to fire and smoke was a factor in 181 deaths.

Less common accidents included:

• Exposure to excessive cold (29 deaths)
• Stuck by objects (52 deaths)
• Bitten or stung by animals or insects (11 deaths)

Full statistics for England and Wales can be found on the nomis website https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/ and searching for mortality statistics.

Data for Scotland and Northern Ireland is collected by separate bodies.

If you have any questions or would like support with managing issues at your workplace, please speak to your usual contact or get in touch using the form below.