Every life matters: embedding culture, competence and control

Posted on January 12, 2026

By Steve Wallace

When I look at the latest HSE statistics – published towards the end of last year – the first thing I remind myself is that one fatality is one too many. Behind every number is a family devastated, a community shaken, and a business forever changed. Yet for an economy the size of ours, 124 deaths in a population of 67 million is, comparatively speaking, a low figure. That doesn’t mean we should be complacent. It only takes one catastrophic event to change the picture entirely – Piper Alpha in 1988 being the tragic example. So while the downward trend is encouraging, I’m not going to be delighted just because this year’s figure is lower than last.

The numbers behind the headlines

The HSE’s annual report for 202425 confirmed 124 worker deaths (down from 138 in 202324), with falls from height and vehicle movement collisions remaining the leading causes. Alongside fatalities, there were 680,000 self reported non-fatal injuries (up from 604,000) and 1.9 million cases of work related ill health (up from 1.7 million). In total, 40.1 million working days were lost (up from 33.7 million) due to ill health and injury – a sharp rise on the previous year.

When safety systems fail

The statistics are sobering enough, but they also show what happens when risks are not managed. In 2025, two cases illustrated the consequences. At Haverfordwest Town Weir, four paddle boarders died after warnings were ignored and risks went unassessed. The court found gross negligence and imposed custodial sentences. At West Thurrock, defective pipework at Industrial Chemicals Ltd released hundreds of thousands of litres of acid, creating a toxic gas cloud that forced schools and businesses to close. The company was fined £2.5m for multiple breaches. These examples show that when safety systems fail, the impact is measured not only in human lives but also in reputational damage, severe penalties, and operational disruption. As I often say, superficial compliance is just not enough.

Shifting risks in the workplace

Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of workplace deaths, with 35 fatalities in 202425 (down from 50 the previous year), still more than a quarter of the total. Fatal injuries from being struck by a moving vehicle also remain stubborn, with 14 deaths in 202425 (down from 25 in 202324), particularly in logistics yards and agricultural settings. Construction accounted for 35 deaths (down from 51), while agriculture, forestry and fishing saw 23 deaths (down from 24).

So given these figures, why did the overall reduction amount to only 14 deaths? The answer lies in smaller categories. Fatalities from being struck by objects, trapped by collapses, machinery contact, electricity, drowning, and exposure to harmful substances did not decline at the same pace. In some cases, they rose slightly. These ‘long tail’ risks offset the headline improvements. This is still progress, but it shows that while the big killers are being tackled, the less visible risks remain stubborn. We must also recognise that part of the downward trend may be structural. With fewer people working in manufacturing and more in retail and service industries, the exposure to physical hazards is reduced. That shift might also explain why stress, anxiety and depression figures are rising: the risks haven’t gone away, they’ve simply changed shape.

The rise of psychosocial pressures

The HSE’s also report highlighted the rise of psychosocial risks. There were 964,000 cases of stress, depression, or anxiety in 202425 (up from 776,000), making mental health the largest driver of work-related ill health. These conditions accounted for 52% of all ill health and 62% of working days lost – equivalent to 22.1 million days. Regulators now treat psychosocial risks as enforceable concerns, with employers required to assess and manage stress under existing health and safety law.

Inspectors are asking for evidence of how organisations identify and control these hazards, meaning stress management can now trigger enforcement action.

The measure of real progress

The HSE’s figures underline the continuing toll of workplace harm and the responsibility organisations carry. Fatalities may be lower, but nonfatal injuries and mental health pressures are rising. Employers in highrisk sectors need to strengthen controls if they are to avoid becoming the next headline. The downward trend is encouraging, yet sustaining progress means tackling the smaller, persistent risks that continue to claim lives. In 2026, regulators will expect demonstrable competence, digital evidence, and integrated psychosocial risk management.

Decades of working in health and safety have shown me that progress depends on more than compliance. Numbers can track trends, but lasting improvement comes when organisations weave safety into everyday decisions and leadership priorities. Our record may compare well internationally, but the real measure is whether people feel protected at work and whether risks are actively controlled.

It’s not about paperwork, but my favourite ‘c’ letter words: culture, competence, and control.