Overview and key points
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its 2025 summary report, revealing that approximately 1.9 million workers experienced job-related ill health in the past year. The figures highlight common hazards and recurring workplace risks – as well as key opportunities to raise safety standards and strengthen operational performance.
In this article, our partners at Opus Safety explain your core compliance concerns for 2026, turning HSE stats into actionable safety strategies.
Key takeaways
1.9 million people suffered from work-related ill health in 2024/25, with 40.1 million workdays lost.
Mental health conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, and slip/trip/fall injuries are key causes.
Simple safety solutions can increase productivity, compliance, and worker wellbeing.
January delivers an excellent opportunity to reflect, review, and boost resilience for the coming year – particularly in the critical areas of health, safety, and compliance.
In November 2025, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) released its annual statistics, outlining the risks and root causes behind Britain’s workplace illness and injury rates. The 2024/25 report spotlights core issues impacting safety outcomes and worker wellbeing across the UK.
We asked the experts at Opus Safety for a business-focused breakdown of the figures – and practical actions to make 2026 your safest year yet.
1. Prioritise employee mental health
Despite more companies stepping up staff support, stress, depression, and anxiety affected 964,000 employees in the past year – making mental health the leading driver of workplace ill health.
Simple strategies can tackle the absence, productivity, and engagement issues associated with employee mental health concerns. Effective solutions include tailored management training to provide early interventions, refining shift patterns to boost work/life balance, and broadening benefits packages to include wellbeing options.
2. Minimise manual handling and musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks
511,000 individuals were impacted by job-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), primarily through repetitive movements or manual handling tasks. The first step in protecting your people is a comprehensive ergonomic and manual handling risk assessment to identify health hazards, training gaps, and poor working practices.
From there, implement targeted measures – such as lifting aids, adjustable workstations, and regular breaks – to eliminate problematic lifting, pushing, or pulling actions.
3. Act on slip, trip, and fall hazards
Slips, trips, and falls on the same level are the most common factor in non-fatal workplace injuries. While every business has unique trip hazards, rigorous housekeeping, routine maintenance, and immediate reporting can keep risks under control.
Schedule regular site walks to spot emerging safety threats, zeroing in on flooring, lighting, obstructed walkways, protruding machinery or display units, and trailing cables.
4. Work safely at height
Falls from height are the number one cause of fatal job-related incidents. Safeguarding your team starts on the ground, with a risk assessment focused on removing the need to work from height.
If working at height is unavoidable, equip staff with stable, purpose-built equipment to reduce fall risks, safe access systems, and training tailored to site-specific hazards – such as mezzanines, skylights, and restricted spaces.
5. Drive down vehicle dangers
Vehicle and moving object accidents are key contributors to serious onsite injuries and deaths, particularly during loading and reversing. Awareness training is a crucial tool in avoiding incidents, helping drivers and pedestrians recognise risks and follow correct procedures.
Changes to your physical environment – including barriers, signage, one-way systems, and designated loading zones – can safely segregate workers on foot and behind the wheel.
Connect with an Opus consultant
Opus Safety is a trusted ecosystem partner. To discuss your compliance, training, and occupational health goals for 2026 and beyond, please speak with your Partners& risk adviser, who will gladly connect you with our Opus team, or contact us to find out more.
For more insights and cost-effective safety solutions, read Annual HSE statistics explained: Key takeaways and priorities for 2026 on opus-safety.co.uk
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