The job industries with the biggest increase in fatalities over the past ten years have now been revealed, and the findings highlight worrying trends in sectors not traditionally viewed as high-risk.
New data, revealed by Astutis, reveals that fatalities in Public Administration, Defence, Health and Education saw the steepest increase, with workplace deaths rising by 67% compared to ten years ago in the years 2014/15.
The second-highest increase in fatalities is by 25% by those that work in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation industry, while the third-highest is an increase of 20% in the Wholesale and Retail Trade industry.
The four industries that saw increases in fatalities in the last HSE data compared to ten years ago, are:
|
Industry |
Percentage Increase |
|
Public administration, defence, health and education. |
67% |
|
Arts, entertainment and recreation; other service activities. |
25% |
|
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; accommodation and food service activities. |
20% |
|
Information and communication; financial and insurance activities; real estate activities; professional, scientific and technical activities; administrative and support service activities. |
18% |
While fatality numbers remain highest in labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture, construction and transport, the sharp rises in these unexpected industries underline a broader reality: workplace risk is spreading.
Brenig Moore, Technical Director at Astutis, workplace health and safety training providers, has explained that labour-intensive industries are no longer the standard in regards to workplace fatalities, which should be a wake-up call for employers to invest in safeguarding their employees.
“These figures are a stark reminder that hazards are no longer confined to the traditional ‘high-risk’ industries. Fatality rates in health, education, and professional services in particular should be a wake-up call.
Compliance is not enough; organisations must adopt stronger safety cultures that embed risk awareness, leadership accountability, and continuous training at every level.”
Even in consumer-facing sectors, risks are escalating. Wholesale, retail and hospitality recorded a 20% increase in fatalities since 2014/15, reflecting the long hours, physical strain, and high-pressure environments many employees face.
Arts, entertainment and recreation reported a 25% rise, underscoring that risk is not limited to heavy industry.
At the same time, progress in some of the UK’s most hazardous sectors shows what can be achieved with robust safety practices.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing remains one of the deadliest industries, with 23 fatalities recorded in 2024/25, but this is a 28% reduction compared with a decade ago.
Manufacturing has also made significant strides, cutting fatalities by almost 39% through modernised systems and improved safety management.
Construction, however, remains a stubborn outlier. With 35 deaths recorded in 2024/25, the same as in 2014/15, the industry has shown no improvement despite advances in technology and greater awareness.
Brenig concludes:
“Workplace risks are evolving; stress, fatigue, lone working and new technologies are shaping today’s challenges, and unless addressed, the rise in fatalities will continue. Every sector, whether traditionally high-risk or not, must recognise that proactive training and modern approaches to safety are critical for protecting workers.”
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Notes
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Data compares workplace fatalities in 2014/15, 2019/20, and April 2024 – March 2025.
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Figures are broken down by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) sector.
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Astutis is a global leader in health, safety, and environmental training, supporting organisations to build safer, more sustainable workplaces.