Which industry has the highest accident rate?
Accidents can happen in any workplace. From slips, trips, and falls to a sprained ankle, no industry is hazard free. However, due to the nature of the work involved, some industries naturally come with higher risks and higher accident rates.
Curious to see where your role sits on the danger scale? Let’s take a look at which industry has the highest accident rate and what you can do if you suffer a workplace injury.
Regardless of the risks present, every employer has a duty of care to keep their staff safe. So remember, if you’ve been injured in the workplace due to an employer’s negligence, you may be able to file an accident at work claim.
The 6 industries with the highest accident rates
Wherever you work, if you experience an accident or injury, it must be logged in an accident book. The report then goes on to inform statistics on accident rates in UK workplaces. In the year 2023/24, 61,663 employee injuries were reported under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013).
But which industries saw the highest accident numbers? We’re going to count down to the industry with the highest reported accident rate according to HSE statistics.
6. Waste
- Non-fatal injuries: 4,000
- Fatal injuries: 4
Working in waste collection and management involves heavy lifting, handling hazardous materials, and using machinery. As such, it’s unsurprising that over 4,000 waste-related accidents and injuries took place in the year 2023-24.
As with many other industries, slips, trips, and falls account for many waste management accidents. However, workers are also at risk of being hit by waste collection vehicles as they load and unload. They may also come into contact with machinery, which can lead to lacerations and crushing injuries.
It’s important that employers provide waste management workers with the right personal protective equipment (PPE) and training.
5. Agriculture and farming
- Non-fatal injuries: 8,000
- Fatal injuries: 23
The agricultural sector is very varied, with employees carrying out a huge range of tasks, from admin to handling large machinery and managing livestock.
Being injured by an animal accounted for 12% of non-fatal agricultural injuries in the year 2023-24, and this type of accident is fairly unique to the industry. When working on a farm, it’s also possible to suffer injuries from heavy lifting, being struck by moving vehicles, and slipping, tripping, or falling.
All agricultural workers must have the right training and PPE so they can work safely.
4. Transportation and storage
- Non-fatal injuries: 38,000
- Fatal injuries: 11
When you work in transportation and storage, you may carry out tasks in warehouses and storage units or on the road. This means you can come into contact with a number of hazards, including:
- Road traffic accidents while driving goods from one place to another
- Heavy lifting and manual handling when loading, unloading, and moving items
- Objects falling from shelves
- Being hit by moving vehicles, machinery, or equipment
According to HSE statistics, falls from a height also account for around 10% of non-fatal transportation and storage injuries.
3. Construction
- Non-fatal injuries: 47,000
- Fatal injuries: 51
From working at height on scaffolding to carrying out demolition work using machinery, construction workers face many industry hazards. Depending on the job at hand, construction workers may need to use power tools or navigate electrical equipment, which can pose further health and safety risks.
Some of the most common injuries in the construction sector include:
- Soft tissue damage and bruising from trips, knocks, or falling objects
- Bone fractures caused by falling from a height or being hit by vehicles
- Lacerations, degloving, and limb amputation from contact with moving machinery
- Head and brain injuries caused by falls from a height or being struck by a falling object
- Loss of hearing, tinnitus, and deafness caused by loud machinery and site environments
These injuries can vary in severity and, sadly, in the year 2023-24, 51 construction workers in the UK suffered fatal accidents.
It’s vital that employers ensure their construction workers have the right PPE and training and that all machinery and equipment are regularly inspected for safety.
2. Manufacturing
- Non-fatal injuries: 51,000
- Fatal injuries: 16
Manufacturing is one of the most dangerous industries in the UK, leading to both non-fatal and fatal accidents.
HSE reports look at the manufacturing of all types of goods, including food and drink products, chemical and pharmaceutical products, transportation products, and electronic equipment, among others. Because manufacturing is so broad and each factory will handle different materials, health and safety risks are broad, too.
Workers in this industry could suffer injuries caused by:
- Contact with moving machinery
- Manual handling and heavy lifting
- Being struck by moving objects
- Being struck by moving vehicles
- Contact with chemicals
In this industry, it’s also possible to suffer from occupational asthma, lung disease, and skin disease.
1. Human health and social work
- Non-fatal injuries in 2023/24: 79,000
- Fatal injuries in 2023/24: 1
Health and social care accounts for 14% of the UK workforce, so it’s unsurprising that this sector has a high non-fatal accident rate. These accidents and injuries vary widely in severity, taking place in hospitals, residential care homes, and within communities across the country.
Slips, trips, and falls are the most frequent accidents for health and social care employees, but acts of violence can also be quite common.
Other accident types affecting this industry include:
- Injuries caused by manual handling, lifting, and carrying
- Being struck by a falling or flying object
- Musculoskeletal disorders, which can develop over time
No matter your health or social care role, your employer always owes you a duty of care to ensure you have a safe environment. They must carry out risk assessments and put plans in place to mitigate any hazards.
If you’ve suffered an injury while working in this sector and believe you have a valid compensation claim, feel free to contact our team to discuss your case.
Other industries with notable accident rates
Office work
While it may not immediately seem hazardous, working in an office environment can be deceptively dangerous. Office workers can suffer a range of minor, moderate, and serious injuries caused by:
- Slips, trips, and falls, particularly if spillages aren’t cleaned up or marked and trailing wires aren’t tucked away.
- Faulty equipment, which can lead to electrical shocks and scalding.
- Incorrect work setups — while not always considered an accident, having an incorrect desk setup can lead to injuries. Those working at computers can suffer eye strain, back pain, neck pain, and repetitive strain injury (RSI).
Restaurants and hospitality
Whether you work in a kitchen, behind a bar, or serving customers, the restaurant and hospitality sector is another industry that can lead to an unexpected number of accidents and injuries.
In our time processing accident at work claims, we’ve found that many restaurant workers experience:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Scalds and burns from hot plates, food, or beverages
- Musculoskeletal and soft tissue damage from manual handling
- Food poisoning, if staff meals are not prepared safely
What to do if you have an accident in the workplace
Every industry will face unique health and safety risks, as well as some common injuries across the board. If you suffer a workplace accident through no fault of your own, there are a few steps you can take:
- Always report the injury as soon as possible. It should go in your work accident book, and you should let your manager or employer know.
- Get a medical check-up, even if you initially feel okay.
- Gather contact details of any witnesses.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries. If CCTV is available, try to get a copy.
- Keep track of any expenses accrued as a result of your accident (for example, medical bills and travel to appointments).
- Speak with a workplace accident solicitor to start processing your claim.
Tylers Solicitors: Here to support you with your accident at work claim
Our experienced legal experts have helped employees from all industries get the compensation they deserve after a workplace accident. Whether you work in a high-risk industry or not, you have the right to safe employment.
If you’ve been injured in the workplace and want to know if you’re eligible for compensation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our helpful team.
