Vehicle-related workplace deaths rise sharply in latest HSE figures

Workplace fatalities involving moving vehicles increased by 71% in 2025/26, according to the latest annual figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), prompting employers to revisit workplace competence, safety training and traffic management.

The HSE recorded 24 worker deaths after workers were struck by moving vehicles during the year, up from 14 in 2024/25. It was the largest percentage increase of any fatal accident category in the regulator's latest annual statistics.

While the figures do not identify the reasons for the increase, they are likely to prompt organisations to review how workers, supervisors and contractors are trained and assessed in higher-risk environments where vehicles and pedestrians operate alongside one another.

Falls from height remained the leading cause of workplace fatalities, accounting for 31 deaths, although this represented a fall from 35 the previous year.

The statistics also show increases in several other fatal accident categories. Deaths after workers were struck by moving objects rose from 18 to 21. Fatal incidents involving workers trapped by something collapsing or overturning increased from 16 to 18, while fatalities involving contact with moving machinery rose from nine to ten.

Across all industries, the HSE recorded 126 worker fatalities in 2025/26, compared with 124 the previous year.

Construction remained the sector with the highest number of workplace deaths, although fatalities fell from 35 to 25 during the year. Agriculture, forestry and fishing recorded 22 deaths, down from 23. Manufacturing saw one of the largest increases, with fatalities rising from 11 to 18, while deaths in wholesale, retail and motor repair increased from nine to 11.

The HSE said Britain's long-term trend continues to show significant improvements in workplace safety compared with previous decades, although progress has slowed in recent years.

The figures are likely to prompt many organisations to review competence management in areas including vehicle movements, pedestrian segregation, contractor induction, refresher training and supervision. For learning and development teams, the latest statistics provide a reminder that health and safety training extends beyond compliance programmes to maintaining workforce competence in day-to-day operations.

Commenting on the findings, Brenig Moore, technical director at Astutis, said the increase in vehicle-related fatalities should encourage employers to review workplace traffic management and existing safety controls.

'These are incidents that employers have spent years working to prevent, which makes this increase particularly concerning,' he said.

Moore said organisations should review vehicle movements, pedestrian segregation, risk assessments and training to ensure existing controls remain effective, adding that workplace safety should never become routine or be taken for granted.

The HSE's annual fatal injury statistics are widely used by employers to benchmark health and safety performance and identify where workplace practices, supervision and learning may require renewed attention.

Key stats

• 126 worker fatalities in Great Britain, up from 124 in 2024/25
• 24 workers killed after being struck by a moving vehicle, up 71% from 14 the previous year
• 31 deaths from falls from height, down from 35, but still the leading cause of workplace fatalities
• 21 workers killed after being struck by moving objects, up from 18
• 18 fatalities involving collapse or overturning incidents, up from 16
• 10 deaths involving moving machinery, up from 9
• Construction remained the deadliest sector with 25 fatalities, down from 35
• Manufacturing recorded the largest sector increase, rising from 11 to 18 fatalities (+64%)