Falls from height continue to be the leading cause of workplace fatalities in Great Britain, particularly within construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and transport industries. Between 2020/21 and 2024/25, falls from height caused an average of 38 worker deaths every year.
However, the true number could be much higher, due to the way in which incidents are reported.
Employer reported accidents are recorded under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, which in 2024/25 recorded 4,684 non-fatal falls from height.
In contrast to that, The Labour Force Survey asks workers directly about workplace injuries, and it estimates that up to 44,000 workers suffered injuries following falls from height during the same period.
That is a huge difference!
Also, these figures may not tell the full story, particularly among self-employed workers, who are less likely to report incidents through formal channels and who account for approximately two-thirds of fall from height incidents.
Construction remains the sector most closely associated with falls from height, which accounted for around half of all construction related deaths, due to falls from roofs, scaffolding, ladders and platforms. With Agriculture, Manufacturing, Transport and Warehousing also accounting for many fatal and non-fatal accidents due to a fall from height.
Non-fatal falls can have life-changing consequences, including broken bones, spinal injuries, permanent mobility issues, along with long term psychological effects. All of which can affect the ability to return to work due to lengthy rehabilitation, both physically and mentally, which can then lead to financial worries.
The current Work at Height Regulations require employers and those in control of work activities to avoid work at height where possible, and if it is necessary to work at height, to ensure that suitable protection measures are in place, that the work is properly planned and supervised using trained and competent workers with the correct safety equipment, and that regular maintenance and inspections are also undertaken.
Falls from height remain one of the most persistent workplace safety issues in the UK.
Acclaim Solicitors understand that behind every statistic is a worker, a family, and often a life permanently altered, and that making a personal injury claim can feel overwhelming, especially while recovering from an injury.
With over 30 years of experience, our friendly and approachable team of experts are here to help you with clear guidance on your next steps.
You can contact us by calling 01244 956434 or by filling in the contact form on our website.