News

*HSE Figures Reveal Lowest Number of Workplace Fatalities in a Decade - But Key Sectors Remain High Risk.

*The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has released its annual summary of work related fatal injuries in Great Britain, covering the period April 2025 to March 2026. The report confirms that 126 workers lost their lives in work related incidents over the year - a tragic figure, yet provisionally the lowest recorded in any single year outside the pandemic period. However, Agriculture and Construction  continue to be High Risk Sectors for Devon and the South West.

Most Common Causes of Fatal Workplace Injuries.
The HSE identifies three leading causes of fatal injuries to workers in 2025/26:
• Falls from height (31 deaths)
• Being struck by a moving vehicle (24 deaths)
• Being struck by a moving object (21 deaths)

These accident types have remained consistently prevalent in recent years, particularly in sectors involving outdoor, high risk or physically demanding work.

Agriculture and Construction: High Risk Sectors for Devon and the South West.
The HSE’s data again highlights that Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing and Construction account for the highest numbers of worker fatalities nationwide.

This is especially relevant to Devon and the wider South West, where:
• Agriculture remains a major employer across rural communities, with many farms operating small teams exposed to machinery, livestock and height related risks.
• Construction activity continues to grow, driven by significant residential development, infrastructure upgrades and ongoing demand for new housing across Exeter, East Devon and surrounding areas.

Both sectors combine physically demanding work with complex environments, making robust safety management essential.

A Regional Perspective: Why These Figures Matter.
For employers, contractors and workers across Devon, the HSE’s findings underline the importance of:
• Thorough risk assessments
• Clear safety protocols
• Proper training and supervision
• Prompt action when hazards are identified

Despite long term improvements in workplace safety, the data shows that fatal incidents continue to occur - often in circumstances where risks were known or foreseeable.

Support from Rundlewalker’s Accident & Injury Team.
Roger Henderson, Head of Personal Injury at Rundlewalker, comments:
“While it is encouraging to see a reduction in fatalities, it remains deeply concerning that so many workers continue to lose their lives in preventable incidents. Falls from height, vehicle related accidents and injuries involving moving objects are risks we see repeatedly in our casework. Our team is here to support injured workers and bereaved families in seeking answers, accountability and fair compensation.”

Rundlewalker’s Accident & Injury Team provides specialist support in cases involving:
• Agricultural and farming accidents
• Construction site injuries
• Falls from height
• Machinery and equipment incidents
• Fatal accident claims and inquests

We offer clear, compassionate guidance and can act on a 'No Win, No Fee' basis where appropriate.

No Win, No Fee Support.
At Rundlewalker Solicitors, we operate on a 'No Win, No Fee' basis. This means you won’t have to worry about legal fees upfront. Compensation can’t undo the trauma of an accident, but it can help ease the financial burden. You need to act swiftly and get the right legal advice. The highly experienced Accident and Injuries Team at Rundlewalker is available to you. Simply contact us now to discuss your legal situation and we can advise you of the options available. Please call Roger Henderson on 01392 209218 or email roger.henderson@rundlewalker.com.

Working with Road Safety Stakeholders.
Over the years, Roger has worked alongside a wide range of road safety stakeholders, including Learn 2 Live, and previously served for many years as a Trustee of The Honest Truth charity, supporting initiatives aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries on the roads.

Professional Memberships.
In addition to his role as President of Plymouth Advanced Motorists, Roger is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers.

"I had a really positive experience with Rundlewalker. Roger was extremely knowledgeable and empathetic to my case. He kept me updated at every stage of the process and ensured I knew exactly what the next steps were. He was friendly and approachable and only ever a phone call away. I really appreciated his high level of professionalism, which all helped in achieving a successful outcome. Highly recommended." M.P.

 "We can't thank you, Roger, enough for all of your hard work during the process of the claim. You have been brilliant and kept us informed throughout which we both really appreciate, you have explained every step in a way that we could understand with ease, having had no experience in such a claim before.” Mrs N.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice.
Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.

*Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence.