Construction worker deaths on the rise, HSE confirms

The number of deaths of construction industry workers has increased, according to new figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Its latest annual data shows 51 construction workers died of injuries on site in the year to 31 March 2024, confirming findings earlier this year.

The total was more than double of any other industry, with 23 fatalities recorded in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Deaths in construction made up more than a third of the UK total for all sectors (138).

Construction was the second most dangerous industry when measured by the rate of fatal injuries per 100,000 workers, with 2.43 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers, up from 2.1 in 2022/23. But it was less than the figure for agriculture, forestry and fishing, of 7.51.

The latest HSE data also included three-year average figures for work-related ill-health in construction. The health and safety regulator found that about 78,000 workers were affected from 2021/22 to 2023/24, with 52 per cent of them suffering from musculoskeletal disorders.

This equates to 2 per cent of the UK construction workforce, the HSE said, which is a "significantly higher" rate than for workers across all industries.

Self-reported stress and mental health issues accounted for an average of 14,000 workers in 2021/22 to 2023/24. This equates to 0.7 per cent of the construction workforce, the HSE said, which is "statistically significantly lower than that for workers across all industries [2 per cent]."

It added that the rate for the latest period, which included years affected by Covid, "was not statistically significantly different" from the three years before the pandemic.

Among the construction worker fatalities in 2023/24 was 26-year-old Michael Jones, who died in August 2023 while working at Laing O’Rourke’s project at the new Everton FC stadium. He died after he was caught between the scissor ladder he was operating and a beam.

Charlie Harper, a 71-year old drill worker, died in April 2023 while working an HS2 site in Solihull, operated by Balfour Beatty Vinci JV. He died a day after he was hit by the end of an unsecured pipe.

Earlier this year, a coroner issued a safety warning after an investigation into Harper's death, warning that failing to secure the coiled pipe had contributed to his death.

The most common cause of a work-related fatality across all sectors was a fall from height, accounting for 50 of the 138 deaths in 2023/24. That was double the second most common cause, which was being struck by a moving vehicle.

HSE chief executive Sarah Albon said the UK was one of the safest countries in the world to work, but that “these statistics serve as a reminder that there is still room for further improvement”.

“We remain committed to ensuring people remain safe and healthy wherever work is taking place,” she added.

Earlier this month, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) demanded the sector use data more widely to drive better health and safety outcomes.