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Falls from height remain the leading cause of fatal workplace accidents in Britain, according to new data analysed by CT Safety Barriers.
The 2025 Health and Safety Executive report reveals that 50 workers died in 2023/24, compared with 41 the year before. This rise shows that the risks associated with working at height are not easing, and that existing controls are still falling short in preventing needless loss of life.
Construction is by far the hardest hit. Of the 50 deaths recorded, 31 occurred on construction sites. That means well over half of all cases came from one sector, where scaffolds, ladders, unfinished structures, and fragile roofs continue to create deadly conditions.
These findings reinforce how vital it is for companies to strengthen their safety culture, invest in proven preventative systems, and keep protection at the centre of site management.
The trend, in plain numbers
The table below shows how the picture has shifted over time:
| Year | Total fall from height deaths | Construction falls from height deaths | Fatal injuries to employees | Fatal injuries to self-employed |
| 2014/15 | 42 | 20 | 14 | 6 |
| 2018/19 | 43 | 18 | 8 | 10 |
| 2019/20 | 31 | 19 | 9 | 10 |
| 2022/23r | 41 | 25 | 10 | 15 |
| 2023/24p | 50 | 31 | 11 | 20 |
Figures taken from the HSE report
Who Is Being Harmed?
The people most at risk from fatal falls are changing. Ten years ago, employees were more often the ones who lost their lives. Now, the balance has shifted toward those working for themselves.
In 2023/24, 20 self-employed workers died after falling from a height, compared with 11 employees. This pattern reflects the way the industry now operates: more subcontracting, shorter jobs, and fewer layers of oversight.
Without the same level of supervision or organisational support, self-employed workers are often left facing risks that proper planning and collective safeguards could otherwise reduce.
Submitted by: Jonathan Brown
