Workplace safety remains a major issue across the UK. Each year, thousands of workers experience workplace accidents, ill health and injury across a wide range of industries. While some sectors are widely recognised as dangerous, others carry risks that are less visible but equally significant.

JMW's 2026 Work Risk Index analyses official workplace illness and injury statistics UK-wide to identify which industries face the greatest risks. Using data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Labour Force Survey, we assessed fatal injuries, non-fatal workplace injuries, work-related ill health, sickness absence and average working hours across Great Britain.

From accidents involving heavy machinery and falling objects to manual handling injuries and stress-related absence, the data reveals how risk varies between sectors. The findings highlight both expected and unexpected patterns across the most dangerous industries UK-wide.

How We Built the Work Risk Index

The Index combines official data from both the HSE and the Office for National Statistics. All data covers the period 2022/23 to 2024/25, and reflects trends across the UK.

We assessed seven key indicators of workplace safety and risk:

• Fatal injuries and workplace fatalities by industry
• Non-fatal workplace injuries and workplace accident rates
• Work-related ill health, including stress and mental health conditions
• Musculoskeletal disorders, including manual handling injuries
• Sickness and injury absence days
• Average working hours by sector

Each industry received a normalised score out of 100 based on its performance across these categories. This allows comparison between sectors as varied as the construction sector, manufacturing, human health, service activities and public services.

Key Findings at a Glance

[Construction ranks as the UK’s riskiest industry overall, with a risk score of 88.5 out of 100.]

• Construction dominates almost every risk category: It records the highest fatal injuries, the highest rate of non-fatal workplace injuries, the longest working hours and the greatest number of days lost due to injury and ill health.
• Transportation and storage and manufacturing follow closely behind: These sectors report high workplace accident rates and significant exposure to heavy machinery and vehicle-related incidents.
• Public defence and social security lead for stress, depression and anxiety: Human health, education and other public services also score highly for work-related mental health pressures.
• Accommodation and food service activities record the highest rate of non-fatal injuries: However, they score lower overall due to reduced long-term illness and fatal injury weighting.
• Finance, real estate and professional service activities rank among the lowest-risk industries: These sectors report comparatively low fatal injuries, lower non fatal workplace injuries and fewer days lost due to sickness and injury when compared to manual and public-facing industries.

The findings highlight that the greatest risks are not limited to traditionally dangerous industries such as construction. White-collar sectors - including education and administrative service activities - also appear in the top risk rankings due to stress, sickness absence and working hours.

Why this matters

Every employer has legal duties under health and safety law to carry out risk assessments, provide proper training and supply appropriate safety equipment. The Health and Safety Executive and other relevant enforcing authorities regulate compliance and investigate workplace incidents and workplace deaths.

Where accidents occur because safety measures were not followed, workers in England and Wales may be entitled to seek legal advice about occupational injury claims. JMW advises people who have sustained injuries in workplace accidents, including construction injury claims and cases involving heavy machinery, manual handling injuries and falls from height.

The sections below explore the full rankings and what the data reveals about workplace safety across the UK.

The Complete Rankings

The sections below break down the 2026 Work Risk Index in detail. Each league table highlights how industries compare across specific risk categories; together, these rankings provide a clearer picture of where workplace hazards are most concentrated across Great Britain.

Overall Risk Index: The Top 10 Industries

The Overall Risk Index combines fatal injuries, non-fatal workplace injuries, work-related ill health, musculoskeletal disorders, sickness absence and average working hours into a single weighted score out of 100.

Construction ranks first by a clear margin, scoring 88.5 out of 100 and leading almost every major risk indicator. It records the highest fatal injuries, the highest rate of non-fatal workplace injuries, the greatest incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, the longest average working hours and the highest number of sickness and injury absence days. The data confirms that falls remain a leading cause of workplace fatalities in this sector, alongside accidents involving heavy machinery and falling objects.

Transportation & Storage and Manufacturing follow at a distance but still report elevated workplace accident rates. These sectors involve regular exposure to machinery, vehicles and heavy objects, increasing the likelihood of accidents occurring and long-term manual handling injuries. Road traffic accidents involving commercial vehicles also contribute to Transportation & Storage’s overall score.

Administrative & Support Service Activities appear higher in the rankings than many might expect. While not typically associated with the most dangerous industries, this sector records a notable number of fatal injuries relative to other service activities and high levels of days lost due to injury and ill health.

Public Defence/Social Security and Human Health & Social Work Activities also rank in the top half of the index. In these public services and emergency services environments, the data shows high stress, depression and anxiety scores, alongside measurable levels of physical injury. This underlines that workplace risk is not confined to heavy industry.

Education and Information & Communication round out the top 10. These sectors record lower fatal injuries but score higher for working hours, stress and sickness absence. The findings show that ill health and mental strain can materially affect an industry’s overall risk profile.

Taken together, the rankings demonstrate that workplace safety in Great Britain is shaped by a combination of physical hazards, exposure to machinery, long hours and mental health pressures. Employers across all sectors remain responsible for carrying out suitable risk assessments, implementing safety measures and providing proper training and safety equipment to prevent accidents - for reference, consult the HSE’s guidance on the basic expectations for every employer.

Where serious workplace injuries occur because those duties were not met, workers in England and Wales may seek legal advice about occupational injury claims. The following sections examine each risk category in greater detail.

Top 10 Industries for Stress, Depression & Anxiety

Work-related stress, depression and anxiety form a substantial part of overall workplace ill health in Great Britain. While fatal injuries and non-fatal workplace injuries often dominate safety news, the Labour Force Survey shows that mental health pressures remain one of the leading causes of time lost from work.

Public Defence/Social Security records the highest stress score, reflecting the sustained pressure associated with public services and emergency services roles. Human Health & Social Work Activities and Education also rank prominently, highlighting the impact of emotionally demanding work and high workload environments.

White-collar sectors such as Information & Communication and Financial & Insurance Activities also score highly. Long working hours and performance-driven cultures contribute to elevated levels of reported ill health in these industries.

By contrast, Manufacturing and Wholesale & Retail Trade/Vehicle Repair record lower stress scores, although they remain exposed to physical workplace hazards.

The data shows that workplace safety is shaped by both physical injury risks and mental health pressures. Employers are required to assess and manage risks linked to workload, exposure and working conditions, alongside traditional health and safety measures.

Organisations such as Mind and Acas can support workplaces in managing the causes of stress, depression or anxiety in the workplace, as can setting up an Employee Assistance Programme, which are designed to assist employees with any concerns and matters that may affect their job performance or wellbeing, including struggles with mental health.

Top 10 Industries for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders remain one of the most common forms of work-related injury in Great Britain. These conditions often develop over time through repetitive tasks, lifting heavy objects, poor posture or prolonged physical strain. They are a leading cause of long-term ill health and sickness absence across many sectors.

Construction records the highest rate of musculoskeletal disorders by a significant margin. Manual handling injuries, lifting heavy objects, repetitive physical tasks and prolonged exposure to demanding environments contribute to its score. Transportation & Storage follows closely, reflecting the physical strain associated with vehicle operation, loading and unloading, and warehouse work.

Administrative & Support Service Activities rank third, underlining that long-term physical injury is not limited to traditionally dangerous industries. Repetitive movement, handling equipment and sustained physical tasks can result in injury even in sectors not typically associated with heavy machinery.

Manufacturing and Wholesale & Retail Trade/Vehicle Repair also report elevated rates, where workers may regularly handle equipment, machinery and heavy objects.

Overall, these findings show that musculoskeletal injury remains a widespread workplace hazard across multiple sectors. This is why it is vital for employers to conduct suitable risk assessments, provide proper training, and implement safety measures designed to prevent accidents and reduce long-term physical strain.

Top 10 Industries for Non-Fatal Workplace Injuries

Non-fatal workplace injuries remain one of the most visible indicators of workplace safety. These incidents range from fractures and manual handling injuries to accidents involving heavy machinery, vehicle collisions and falls from height. While not resulting in workplace fatalities, non-fatal injuries can still lead to prolonged absence, ill health and lasting impact.

Construction records the highest rate of non-fatal workplace injuries, reinforcing its position as the UK’s riskiest sector overall. Falls from height remain a leading cause of injury, alongside accidents involving heavy machinery and falling objects. The construction sector also reports high levels of incidents linked to unsafe systems of work and exposure to hazardous environments.

Transportation & Storage and Manufacturing follow, reflecting elevated workplace accident rates in sectors where workers regularly operate machinery, vehicles and equipment. Road traffic accidents involving commercial vehicles contribute to Transportation & Storage’s score, while machinery-related incidents remain a feature of Manufacturing.

Administrative & Support Service Activities again rank unexpectedly high. This highlights that non-fatal injuries are not limited to traditionally dangerous industries. In some service activities, workers face risks linked to manual handling, equipment use and operational environments.

Accommodation & Food Service Activities, while not ranking highly in the overall index, record the highest raw rate of non-fatal injuries in some reporting periods. These often involve slips and trips, falls and equipment-related incidents.

Where workplace injuries occur because safety measures were not followed, workers in England and Wales may seek legal advice about occupational injury claims, including construction injury claims and cases involving machinery, falls or unsafe working practices.

Top 10 Industries for Sickness & Injury Absence

Sickness and injury absence provides a broader measure of workplace impact. It reflects not only immediate workplace accidents but also longer-term ill health, recovery time and the cumulative effect of unsafe working conditions.

Construction again ranks highest, recording the greatest number of days lost due to injury and ill health. This reflects both the frequency of workplace accidents and the physical nature of many roles within the sector. Manufacturing and Transportation & Storage also report high absence rates, consistent with their elevated levels of non-fatal injuries and exposure to machinery and heavy objects.

Information & Communication and Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities rank higher than many manual industries for days lost. In these sectors, absence is more closely linked to stress, mental health and workload pressures rather than fatal injuries or heavy machinery incidents. This reinforces the link between long working hours, ill health and overall workplace risk.

Across all sectors, sickness absence represents a measurable indicator of workplace safety performance. High levels of absence can signal underlying workplace hazards, whether physical or psychological. Employers remain responsible for implementing safety measures, carrying out risk assessments and providing proper training to prevent accidents and reduce exposure to harm.

Top 10 Industries for Average Working Hours

Long working hours are closely linked to fatigue, reduced concentration and increased likelihood of accidents occurring. Extended shifts can heighten exposure to workplace hazards, particularly in sectors where workers operate machinery, vehicles or heavy equipment. The Labour Force Survey data highlights how working patterns differ across industries in Great Britain.

Again, construction records the longest average working hours, reinforcing its position at the top of the Overall Risk Index. Manufacturing and Transportation & Storage follow closely, sectors already associated with higher workplace accident rates and exposure to heavy machinery and vehicle-related incidents. In these environments, fatigue can increase the risk of falls, machinery incidents and other workplace injuries.

Information & Communication and Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities also rank highly for working hours, despite lower fatal injury rates. In these industries, the risk profile is shaped more by workload intensity and stress than by physical workplace hazards.

The data indicates that long hours are not confined to traditionally dangerous industries. Across sectors, extended working time can increase exposure to risk, contribute to ill health and affect overall workplace safety outcomes. Employers must therefore remain responsible for managing working time, carrying out suitable risk assessments and implementing safety measures designed to prevent accidents.

Workplace Safety and Legal Duties in England and Wales

The data in the Work Risk Index highlights where workplace accidents, ill health and injury are most concentrated. Alongside these statistics, employers have clear legal responsibilities under health and safety law.

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and related regulations, employers must take reasonable steps to protect workers from workplace hazards. This includes:

• Carrying out suitable and sufficient risk assessments
• Implementing appropriate safety measures
• Providing proper training
• Supplying suitable safety equipment
• Maintaining safe systems of work

Duties apply across sectors, whether in construction, manufacturing, human health, public services or professional environments. Employers must assess risks linked to heavy machinery, manual handling injuries, falls from height, exposure to hazardous substances and excessive working hours. They must also address risks connected to stress and work-related ill health.

These obligations extend to employees and, in many circumstances, to self-employed workers operating within a workplace setting. Where a worker is injured because reasonable safety steps were not taken, they may be entitled to seek legal advice. JMW advises individuals in England and Wales who have sustained workplace injuries, including those in the construction sector, manufacturing, transportation and public services.

Occupational injury claims may arise where:

• A proper risk assessment was not carried out.
• Suitable safety equipment was not provided.
• Proper training was not given.
• Unsafe systems of work led to injury.

Legal advice can help clarify whether an employer met their responsibilities and what options may be available following a workplace injury.

Data Sources and Methodology

The 2026 Work Risk Index is based on publicly available data from:

• https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/assets/docs/msd.pdf
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/dayslost.htm
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/overview.htm
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/overview.htm
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/assets/docs/hssh2425.pdf
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/assets/docs/fatalinjuries.pdf
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/lfs/tables.htm
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/index.htm
• https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/averagehoursworkedbyindustryhour03/current

The index brings together seven indicators that reflect different types of workplace risk:

• Work-related fatal injuries.
• Non-fatal workplace injuries.
• Work-related illness.
• Musculoskeletal disorders.
• Stress, depression and anxiety.
• Average sickness & injury absence days per worker.
• Average working hours per worker.

These measures are reported in different formats. Some are expressed as rates per 100,000 workers, while others are calculated as averages per employee. To allow fair comparison across industries, all data was first converted on to a common scale.

Each metric was normalised to a 0–100 scale using a min–max approach. For every indicator, the industry with the lowest recorded rate received a score of 0, while the industry with the highest rate received 100. All other industries were scaled proportionally between those two points. This process removes differences in units and prevents any single metric from dominating purely because of how it is measured.

Fatal injuries were then weighted twice as heavily as other indicators due to the high severity and impact.

A composite risk score was then calculated by adding the weighted scores and dividing by the total weighting applied. Industries were then ranked from highest score, indicating greater overall risk, to lowest.

Full details of the methodology and underlying data sources are available upon request - please contact cleo.chaisty@i-com.net.