The real cost of workplace harm in the UK – £22.9 billion

Every year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes statistics on how many people are affected by work-related ill health and injury in Great Britain, and what that means for individuals, employers and the wider economy. The latest figures for 2024/25 are a stark reminder that, even in a country with strong health and safety laws, workplace harm still has a very real human and financial cost.

While headlines might focus on the big numbers, like the £22.9 billion cost or the millions of working days lost, behind each statistic is a real person whose life has been affected. We support people whose health and income have been affected by accidents, injuries, or work-related long-term health conditions, and we will break down the latest data and explain what it means for you.

How many people are affected?

The HSE estimates that around 1.9 million workers suffered from work-related ill health in 2024/25. That includes conditions that develop over time due to workplace pressures or hazards.

The biggest contributor to ill health remains mental health problems: an estimated 964,000 workers reported stress, depression or anxiety caused or made worse by work. That’s roughly one in every 30 working people in Britain.

Musculoskeletal disorders, problems affecting muscles, joints and tendons such as back pain or repetitive strain injuries, were also reported by 511,000 workers in this period. These kinds of conditions are often linked to poorly designed workspaces, heavy lifting, repetitive tasks or long hours in static postures.

Workplace injuries and fatalities

While work-related illness accounts for most of the human cost, workplace injuries are still a significant concern.

According to the HSE’s estimates:

• 124 workers were fatally injured at work in 2024/25.
• Around 680,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries during the same period.

These figures come from a combination of self-reported survey data and the RIDDOR system (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations), which employers must use to record and report certain types of workplace incidents.

For context, fatal injury figures have generally fallen dramatically over the past few decades thanks to improved safety regulations, but every death is still a tragedy, and many of those accidents are preventable with the right protections in place.

How much time is lost?

Work-related injury and ill health not only harm individuals, they also disrupt lives and livelihoods. In 2024/25, the HSE estimates that around 40.1 million working days were lost due to workplace injury and ill health. That’s equivalent to more than 200,000 full-time workers missing an entire year of work altogether.

Lost working days matter in many ways. For workers, missing time on the job can mean reduced earnings, stress on household finances and increased pressure to catch up when returning. For employers, lost days can result in delays, reduced productivity and increased costs to cover absent staff. And for the wider economy, the combined impact of so many lost days can slow growth and reduce overall output.

The economic price tag — £22.9 billion

One of the most eye-catching figures in the HSE statistics is the estimated cost of workplace injuries and ill health – £22.9 billion for 2023/24.

This is not just a theoretical number. It includes:

• Loss of output when people are unable to work.
• Healthcare and treatment costs for injuries and long-term conditions.
• Costs to employers in terms of lower productivity, sick pay and administrative burdens.
• Costs borne by individuals and families, including lost earnings and additional care needs.

While some costs are financial, many are much harder to quantify, such as the distress of losing independence, the impact on quality of life, and the emotional strain on families. Professionals in the legal and medical fields recognise that these human costs often outweigh the purely economic figures.

Which types of work are most affected?

The broad national statistics show the scale of the issue, but some industries have higher rates of injury and illness than others. For instance:

• Sectors like construction, agriculture and transportation tend to have higher rates of fatal and serious injuries.
• Smaller businesses and certain regional areas can also experience a higher prevalence of ill health, depending on the type of work and the safety culture in place.

These differences highlight the importance of tailored health and safety risk management rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

What this means for workers

For the general public and individual workers, the key takeaway is that workplace health hazards are not just an abstract issue. They affect millions of people every year, and many of those cases could be supported more effectively with the right legal advice. Injury and illness at work can have consequences that go beyond immediate medical treatment. They can affect income, career prospects, and even long-term health outcomes.

If you experience a workplace injury or develop health problems because of your job, you may be entitled to compensation or support. Workers’ compensation and personal injury claims exist to help cover loss of earnings, medical costs and other impacts of workplace harm. That’s where a solicitor like NV Legal can help, offering guidance on whether you have a claim and how to pursue it. Legal support can also help ensure employers meet their legal obligations to protect staff.

The role of employers and safety culture

While individual claims are important, prevention will always be better than cure. Employers have a legal duty under UK law to protect their workers from health and safety risks. That includes:

• Conducting risk assessments
• Providing adequate training and equipment
• Monitoring and reviewing occupational health
• Responding promptly to hazards and reports of ill health

Maintaining a positive safety culture where workers feel able to raise concerns and management acts isn’t just good practice. It reduces the likelihood of accidents and long-term health issues, and it protects businesses from costly claims and reputational damage.

Great Britain remains one of the safer places to work globally, thanks to decades of regulatory progress and improvements in workplace practices. But the rising numbers in some areas, particularly mental health, show that challenges remain. Ongoing attention to prevention, better workplace design, mental health support, and robust health and safety systems will be key to reducing both the human and economic costs in the future.

For individuals affected by work-related injury or illness, understanding your rights and options can make an enormous difference. Legal advice and representation can help you pursue the compensation you deserve while holding employers to account where necessary. If you’d like help interpreting these figures for your own situation or exploring whether you have a legal claim, NV Legal can guide you every step of the way.

About NV Legal

We pride ourselves on our personal, hands-on approach. When you work with us, you won’t be passed between departments or left chasing updates. You’ll deal directly with one of our experienced solicitors, who will manage your claim and recovery pathway from start to finish.

If you need support, get in touch with NV Legal. It is not just about the claim; it is about helping you recover. We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis; you will not be charged if your claim is unsuccessful, and your case will only be managed by a qualified solicitor from day one.

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