The riskiest industries in the UK

In the UK, there has been an annual average of 1,385,000 incidents of illness and 479,000 non-fatal injuries resulting from or made worse by the workplace over the last 3 years. There have also been 135 recorded fatal injuries between November 2022 and November 2023.

But which industries are the riskiest, and where should you be extra careful when working?

By combining injury and illness rates for workers across 13 UK industries from the last 3 years, experts at money.co.uk business insurance have revealed the riskiest industries to work in. 

1. Human health and social work activities

Human health and social work activities ranks as the riskiest industry in the UK, reaching a combined score of 8.22/10 for risk. The category refers to healthcare activities in hospitals and other facilities provided by medical professionals, residential care activities with a degree of medical activities, and social work activities without any involvement of healthcare professionals.

This sector has the highest rate of workplace illness of all industries, at an average of 6,860 incidents per 100,000 workers each year over the last 3 years. The industry also has the highest rate of incidences of illness from stress, depression or anxiety, at a shocking rate of 3,530 per 100,000 workers over the last 3 years.

2. Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Agriculture, forestry and fishing ranked as the second riskiest industry. This sector comprises growing crops, raising animals, harvesting timber, and harvesting fish and other animals on a farm, ranch, or from their natural habitats.

While sample numbers were too small to provide reliable estimates for certain illness prevalence in this industry, the sector had by far the highest rate of workplace non-fatal injuries. Over the last 3 years, there was an annual average of 3,730 non-fatal injuries per 100,000 workers. Construction has the second highest rate of non-fatal injuries but still had over 1,000 fewer injuries per 100,000 workers over the last 3 years.

3. Public administration and defence; compulsory social security

Public administration and defence; compulsory social security has the third-highest combined risk score of UK industries at 6/10. This sector includes governmental activities usually carried out by the public administration. This consists of the enactment and judicial interpretation of laws, legislative activities, taxation, national defence, public order and safety, immigration services, foreign affairs and the administration of government programmes.

This industry has the second-highest prevalence of workplace illness at 5,350 per 100,000 workers and the second-highest prevalence of stress, depression and anxiety at 3,260 per 100,000 workers.

Fatal injuries

Having considered the riskiest industries for workplace illness and injury, which industries rank highest for fatal injuries?

Agriculture, forestry and fishing not only has the highest prevalence of non-fatal injury but also has the highest prevalence of deadly injuries. In the last 3 years, there have been 7.87 deaths per 100,000 workers in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry - a total of 21 deaths.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing is followed by Waste and recycling and Construction, with 5.02 and 2.1 deaths per 100,000 workers, respectively. All other industries have fatal injury rates below 1 per 100,000 workers, demonstrating the significant risk workers in these three industries take on in their employment.

Crime

Not only can the day-to-day activities of employment pose a risk to employees, but UK businesses are also at risk of crime. In 2022, a shocking 28% of companies in England and Wales reported being victims of crime.

The industry most hit by crime in 2022 was Wholesale and retail, where more than two in every five companies (42%) reported being victims of crime.

Transport, accommodation, and food had the second highest prevalence of crime with over a third of these businesses (36%) experiencing crime, and Other services had the third highest at 35%. Business services recorded the lowest crime rate at just 14%, well below the industry average of 28%.

What affects business insurance costs

A business in any industry should have good business insurance. This means a policy that has the right amount of cover for the business’ needs at the best price. Depending on how risky your operations are, the cost of your policy will change.

Here are the top factors that influence the cost of business insurance, outside of factors specific to your company, such as claim history and your excess.

1. Type of cover. First-party risk insurance (for example, damage to your property or business interruption) typically costs less than third-party liability cover (such as professional indemnity, directors' and officers' and cyber insurance).

2. Your industry. How risky your business and operations are will be determined within the context of the industry you work in. Industries with higher risks, such as working from height or with heavy machinery, can increase your premium.

3. The size of your business. Higher revenues with larger workforces will typically increase your insurance premiums.

Kyle Eaton, money.co.uk business insurance expert, comments:

“For most industries in the UK, their workplace environments are safe and secure. However, dealing with dangerous machinery and avoiding hazards can be day-to-day activities for some sectors.

“Agricultural industries, for example, are the second riskiest industries according to our analysis. It is standard for workers in these professions to deal with heavy and dangerous machinery. Agricultural workers can also be subjected to various natural hazards, such as floods and storms, alongside dangers from chemicals and pesticides used in their lines of work.

“In other industries, burnout, stress, and anxiety can be more common. The human health and social work industry was revealed as the most risky industry in our analysis, resulting from the severe rates of illness caused or made worse by stress, depression or anxiety resulting from these jobs.

“Business insurance is super important in risky industries. Business insurance will protect employees and businesses from financial losses resulting from unexpected events such as workplace injuries or illnesses. “It's worth finding policies that offer comprehensive cover at the lowest cost. You'll be able to do this by shopping around and comparing offers tailored to your business by cost, level of protection and any extras available.”