Falls from Height Still Leading Cause of Workplace Deaths: Safety & Access Backs Renewed Industry Call for Action
At Safety & Access, our mission has always been rooted in saving lives through education, training, and raising industry standards. That’s why we stand firmly behind the No Falls Foundation as they renew their call for urgent, industry-wide action following the latest HSE statistics on workplace fatalities.
The newly released HSE Work-Related Fatal Injuries in Great Britain 2024/25 report confirms a worrying truth: 35 workers tragically lost their lives due to falls from height over the past year. While this is a decrease from the 49 recorded in 2023/24, the numbers are still far too high.
“Thirty-five people went to work last year and never returned home. That’s 35 too many,” said Hannah Williams, Charity Manager at the No Falls Foundation.
At Safety & Access, we echo this message—there is no acceptable number when it comes to fatal falls from height.
Falls from Height: Still the Top Cause of Workplace Deaths
The HSE report reveals that falls from height accounted for nearly a third (28%) of all workplace fatalities last year—more than any other cause. This is almost double the number of deaths caused by being struck by a moving vehicle, the second-leading cause.
One particularly alarming trend highlighted in the report is the growing proportion of self-employed fatalities, which now make up two-thirds of all fall-related deaths, compared to just one-third in 2021/22.
Underreporting Masks the True Scale of the Problem
Beyond the fatality figures, non-fatal falls from height remain significantly underreported. While 5,000 incidents were officially recorded, Labour Force Survey estimates suggest that as many as 425,000 falls from height may have occurred over the past decade.
Self-employed workers, in particular, are far less likely to report incidents—contributing to a distorted picture of safety in the sector.
These Are Not Just Numbers
Over the last 10 years, 361 people have died after falling from height at work. That’s enough to fill a jumbo jet. But each number represents something far more personal—a family, a friend, a colleague, a life cut short. It’s not just data—it’s a call to act.
At Safety & Access, we believe this renewed spotlight on fall prevention should be a year-round effort, not just a campaign week.
Join the Movement: Support No Falls Week
The No Falls Foundation’s annual campaign, No Falls Week, returned for its second year in May 2025 with strong industry engagement. But the work doesn’t stop there. We urge all scaffolding firms, construction companies, and height safety professionals to:
✅ Review training procedures
✅ Reassess fall protection measures
✅ Support initiatives that raise awareness
✅ Sign up and access free practical resources at www.nofallsweek.org/get-involved
How Safety & Access Can Help
We offer a full suite of accredited work at height training including:
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CISRS Scaffold Labourer, Part 1, Part 2 and Advanced
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Harness and Lanyard Safety
With training centres in Nottingham, Humberside, and London, and a dedicated team of experts, we are here to help reduce avoidable injuries and fatalities across the industry.
Contact: safe@safetyaccess.co.uk
Call: 0115 979 4523
Visit: www.safetyaccess.co.uk
Let’s work together to ensure every worker gets home safely. Every shift. Every time.
