The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned that the transition to a carbon-neutral economy will present “new risks” to the British workforce, as the regulator publishes annual statistics revealing the immense economic and human cost of current workplace illness.
New data released today shows that work-related ill health and injury cost the UK economy £22.9 billion in 2023/24. This economic burden comes as the regulator pivots to address emerging safety challenges posed by the introduction of new technologies, the gig economy, and the government’s net-zero agenda.
Mental health challenge
The annual statistics for 2024/25 reveal that 1.9 million workers suffered from work-related ill health, a figure that remains higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Mental health has cemented its position as the primary occupational hazard facing the modern workforce. In 2024/25, 964,000 workers reported suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, accounting for 52 per cent of all ill health cases.
“We have a proud history of succeeding in challenging circumstances,” said Sarah Albon, Chief Executive of the HSE. “This has made Great Britain one of the safest countries to work in”.
However, the data highlights significant sector-specific disparities. Industries with statistically significantly higher rates of mental ill health compared to the average included public administration and defence, human health and social work, and education.
While tackling established health issues, the HSE is simultaneously reshaping its regulatory framework to accommodate rapid technological change. The regulator’s long-term strategy explicitly identifies the “development of greener building and battery technologies” as areas presenting challenges that “businesses and society are less familiar with”.
“Transitioning to a carbon neutral economy will see more innovative technologies and processes, which will present new risk,” the HSE strategy document states.
To address this, the regulator has prioritised work to address the safety implications of using hydrogen for decarbonisation and is applying expert knowledge to help businesses understand “both known and unknown risk” associated with new tech .
“We will work to make sure that health and safety legislation doesn’t prevent innovation and progress,” the HSE stated, noting that its goal is to “enable industry to innovate safely”.
Strains and drains
Beyond mental health, physical strain remains a significant drain on productivity. The statistics show 511,000 workers suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in 2024/25, representing 27 per cent of ill health cases.
A breakdown of these injuries reveals:
- 43 per cent affected the back
- 41 per cent affected upper limbs or neck
- 15 per cent affected lower limbs
High-risk sectors for MSDs included construction, transportation and storage, and administrative and support service activities.
In terms of acute injuries, 124 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2024/25. The UK fatal injury rate remains comparable to Germany and is statistically lower than those of France, Spain and Italy.
Non-fatal injuries remain common, with an estimated 680,000 workers sustaining an injury according to the Labour Force Survey. Employers formally reported 59,219 non-fatal injuries under RIDDOR requirements.
The most common causes of employer-reported injuries were slips, trips or falls on the same level (30 per cent) and handling, lifting or carrying (17 per cent) .
The £22.9 billion bill
The report provides a stark breakdown of the financial impact of workplace negligence and illness. Of the £22.9 billion total annual cost:
- Individuals bore the most significant share at £13.4 billion
- Government faced costs of £5.2 billion
- Employers incurred costs of £4.3 billion
Ill health accounted for 72 per cent of these costs (£16.4 billion), significantly outweighing the 28 per cent (£6.5 billion) attributed to injury.
The HSE’s remit is also expanding beyond the workplace. Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the organisation has taken on the role of the Building Safety Regulator to oversee higher-risk buildings.
“The organisation’s role and responsibilities are growing, particularly in the areas of building safety, chemicals regulation and supporting sustainable, healthy workplace practices,” said Chloe Smith MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work.
“Protecting People and Places creates the space for the HSE to adapt and respond to a changing landscape, ensuring it remains relevant in a time of growth and innovation”.
