The short version
- 25 construction workers were killed in 2025/26 (provisional).
- That is about one in five of all worker deaths in Great Britain.
- Falls from height caused 31 worker deaths across all sectors.
Insurers price risk from data. It helps to see the same numbers they see. All figures below come from the Health and Safety Executive and cover Great Britain.
Deaths at work in 2025/26
HSE reports 126 workers killed in 2025/26, of which 25 were in construction. These figures are provisional.1 Construction therefore accounts for about one in five worker deaths.
A further 104 members of the public were killed in work-related accidents across all industries.1 That is a reminder of why public liability matters.
Injury and illness rates
| Measure (construction) | Rate per 100,000 workers | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Non-fatal injury | 2,500 | 2022/23 to 2024/25 average |
| Work-related ill health | 3,790 | 2022/23 to 2024/25 average |
Across all industries, HSE estimates 1.9 million workers suffered work-related ill health and 680,000 had a non-fatal injury in 2024/25.2
The hidden risk: asbestos
HSE says around 5,000 people die every year from asbestos-related diseases. It calls asbestos the greatest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain.3 These deaths often come decades after exposure. That is the reason old employers' liability records matter.
What this means for you
- Height work is the clearest driver of serious harm.
- Long-term illness is a bigger issue than many firms assume.
- Claims can arrive many years after a job ends.
- The public can be hurt by your work, as well as your team.
Sources
- Workplace fatal injuries in Great Britain, Health and Safety Executive. Accessed 11 November 2026.
- Statistics by industry, Health and Safety Executive. Accessed 11 November 2026.
- Introduction to asbestos, Health and Safety Executive. Accessed 11 November 2026.
General information only. This is not legal, insurance or financial advice. Your own policy wording decides what is covered.