STATISTICS RELEASED by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show 50 workers died due to a fall from height in Great Britain in 2023-2024.

Falls from a height account for 36% of 138 worker deaths over the year and remain the leading cause of fatal injury to workers.

HSE Statistics 2024

The 2023/24 figure for fatal falls from height is now 35% above the 5-year average of 37.
This proportion of falls from height has continued to increase over recent years (25% in 2021/22, rising to 30% in 2022/23).

Since 2008, the number of fall from height fatalities has shown inconsistent improvement. The last time the number of fatal falls from height was greater than in 2023/2024, was in 2007/08 when the figure was 58.

Within the construction industry, the average number of worker deaths in construction in the latest two years is statistically significantly higher than the pre-pandemic period (2016/17 and 2018/19).

Meanwhile, across all industries, being struck by a moving vehicle account for 25 fatal injuries to workers in 2023/24, representing 18% of the total number of deaths over the year. Additionally, 14% of fatal worker injuries were caused by being struck by a moving object.

Higher Fatalities for Self-Employed

The Access Industry Forum (AIF) highlights the 44% increase in fall from height fatalities for the self-employed since last year (18 deaths in 2022/23 rising to 26 deaths in 2023/24).

AIF says this is the first time in 5 years that the number of fatal injuries to the self-employed exceeds those of employees. It is also the highest number of self-employed fatalities in over 20 years.

Underlying Causes

Research undertaken by the AIF found that limited data is collected on the circumstances surrounding accidents. A problematic reporting system makes it difficult to pinpoint the underlying causes of falls from height. It means that whether falls are related to issues such as faulty equipment, lack of training, or negligence cannot be identified.

The AIF is renewing its call for a simplified system of reporting to more accurately reflect the cause of workplace accidents. The organisation wants new reporting measures so that informed, preventative measures can be implemented to address the cause of fall from height incidents.

Bleak Picture

Peter Bennett OBE, Chair of the AIF & No Falls Foundation

Peter Bennett OBE, Chair of the AIF and No Falls Foundation, said: “The latest HSE fatal injury figures paint an overwhelmingly bleak picture. It’s clear something isn’t working. Most falls from height are avoidable, but only if we can understand what’s causing them in the first place.

“Very little information is provided on the circumstance around fatal (and non-fatal) incidents, with current reporting focused on the type of incident as opposed to what caused it in the first place. This needs to change if we are to tackle the worsening issue of workers being killed, and the number of people who suffer the life-changing consequences of a fall from height.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Work at Height met last year to discuss clearer reporting of workplace accidents in a bid to save lives.

Unacceptable

Peter continues, “In our Manifesto, supported by the No Falls Foundation, our clear ask of the next government is to introduce a simple, more effective system of accident reporting so that we can identify and tackle the root causes of falls from height. We’re also asking MPs to show their commitment to preventing falls from height by pledging their support for the re-establishment of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Working at Height and its important role in progressing our manifesto.

“We know that working at height can be dangerous, but we should be able to put appropriate and robust measures in place to make it safer. Too many people are being killed at work after falling from height. It’s unacceptable and now more than ever, it’s time for change.”

>> Read HSE’s 2023 statistics in the news

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