The Health and Safety Executive have published its latest annual overview of work-related ill health and workplace injuries in Great Britain. The 2024 to 2025 figures confirm that the overall picture has remained broadly unchanged in recent years, although the pressures on workers and employers remain significant. The headline estimate shows that 1.9 million people experienced a work-related illness over the past year. This level has stabilised but remains higher than before the pandemic, when rates in 2018 to 2019 were noticeably lower.

Mental health continues to dominate the landscape of work-related ill health. In 2024 to 2025, 964,000 workers reported stress, depression or anxiety that they believe was caused or worsened by their job. This continues the steady rise seen in recent years and cements mental health conditions as the biggest contributor to work-related illness. Musculoskeletal disorders remain another major factor, with 511,000 workers affected by issues linked to physical strain, repetitive tasks or poor workplace ergonomics.

The long-term effects of historic exposures are still visible. In 2023, there were 2,218 deaths from mesothelioma, a disease primarily linked to asbestos exposure. Although these cases relate to exposure many years ago, they act as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high safety standards and strong regulation.

Workplace accidents and injuries remain a core concern. The latest figures show that 124 workers lost their lives in work-related incidents during 2024 to 2025. There were an estimated 680,000 self-reported non-fatal injuries through the Labour Force Survey, while 59,219 injuries were formally reported under RIDDOR. These incidents have a deep impact on individuals, their families and their employers, and they continue to represent a key area for improvement across many sectors.

The scale of work-related ill health and injury places a significant burden on the economy. During 2024 to 2025, an estimated 40.1 million working days were lost, affecting productivity, business continuity and the wellbeing of workers recovering from illness or injury. The economic cost of workplace injuries and new cases of work-related ill health reached £22.9 billion in 2023 to 2024. This figure has remained similar to the previous year and reflects both short-term losses and the wider long-term financial impact.

In response to the latest figures, HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon said: “Great Britain maintains its position as one of the safest places to work globally, built on more than 50 years of health and safety regulation. However, these statistics demonstrate that workplace health challenges persist, particularly around mental health.

We remain firmly committed to protecting people and places, supporting businesses to create healthier working environments, and ensuring continuous improvement in workplace safety standards across Britain.”

Alongside the main statistical release, HSE has published a range of supporting resources to help employers, workers and researchers understand the numbers in more detail. These include expanded statistics webpages, industry breakdowns, a comprehensive set of data tables and an infographic-style summary booklet. A press release provides further context and links to HSE’s Working Minds campaign, which focuses on work-related mental health, and to the organisation’s ten-year strategy.

Written by: Lee-John Ryan