Professional industries with the highest increase in deaths in the past ten years have now been revealed, and results highlight disturbing trends in sectors that are not traditionally considered at high risk.
New data, revealed by Astatisreveals that the deaths of public administration, defense, health and education have experienced the highest increase, deaths in the workplace increasing by 67% against ten years in the years 2014/15.
The second highest increase in deaths is 25% by those working in the arts, entertainment and leisure industry, while the third higher represents an increase of 20% in the wholesale and retail industry.
The four industries that have increased deaths in the latest HSE data compared to ten years ago are:
|
Industry |
Percentage of increase |
|
Public administration, defense, health and education. |
67% |
|
Arts, entertainment and leisure; Other service activities. |
25% |
|
Wholesale and retail; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; Accommodation and catering activities. |
20% |
|
Information and communication; financial and insurance activities; real estate activities; professional, scientific and technical activities; Administrative and support activities. |
18% |
While death figures remain the highest in the high intensity sectors such as agriculture, construction and transport, the strong increases in these unexpected industries highlight a broader reality: the risk of work is spread.
Brenig Moore, technical director of AstatisTraining providers in occupational health and safety have explained that the industries with a high intensity of workforce are no longer the standard with regard to work in the workplace, which should be alarm to employers to invest in the safeguard of their employees.
“These figures remind us that the dangers are no longer limited to” high -risk “traditional industries. Mortality rates in health, education and professional services in particular should be alarm.
Compliance is not enough; Organizations must adopt stronger security crops that integrate risk awareness, responsibility for leadership and continuing education at all levels. »»
Even in consumer -oriented sectors, risks are increasing. Basically, retail and hospitality have recorded a 20% increase in deaths since 2014/15, reflecting long hours, physical tension and high pressure environments. Many employees face.
The arts, entertainment and leisure reported an increase of 25%, stressing that the risk is not limited to heavy industry.
At the same time, progress in some of the most dangerous sectors of the United Kingdom show what can be made with robust security practices.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing remain one of the deadliest industries, with 23 deaths recorded in 2024/25, but this is a reduction of 28% against ten years ago.
Manufacturing has also made significant progress, reducing deaths of almost 39% thanks to modernized systems and an improvement in security management.
Construction, however, remains an obstinate aberrant value. With 35 deaths recorded in 2024/25, as in 2014/15, the industry has shown no improvement despite progress in technology and greater awareness.
Brenig concludes:
“The risks in the workplace are evolving; Stress, fatigue, work alone and new technologies shape today's challenges, and unless the death increase continues. Each sector, whether traditionally at high risk or not, must recognize that proactive training and modern safety approaches are essential to protect workers. ”
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Notes
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Data compare deaths in the workplace in 2014/15, 2019/20 and April 2024 – March 2025.
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The figures are broken down by the standard industrial classification sector (SIC).
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