What Is the Biggest Cause of Workplace Injury?

· 30th September 2025

Most of us assume our workplaces are safe and free from risk, but this isn’t always the case. Despite the fact that employers are governed by incredibly strict health and safety regulations, accidents can and do still happen. In fact, in 2024 alone, over 600,000 non-fatal injuries were sustained in the workplace

By understanding the most common causes of these injuries, employers and employees alike can take proactive measures to spot hazards, reduce risk and create a safer workplace overall. But what is the most common workplace injury? The team at Healthier Workforce is here to explain.

What is the biggest cause of workplace injury?

To find the most common causes of workplace injuries in the UK, let’s dig down into some statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Each year, they compile detailed reports that track how, where and why workplace accidents happen, using data from RIDDOR and the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The following were the five most common non-fatal workplace injuries last year.

Slips, trips or falls on the same level

Making up 22% of all workplace accidents in 2024, slips, trips or falls on the same level are the most common incidents. This can happen in any environment – from warehouses to seemingly safe offices – and can be caused by any number of hazards, from wet floors and loose cables to poor lighting and obstructions.

There are a number of simple steps you can take to prevent this kind of accident, such as quickly cleaning up any spillages and ensuring all walkways are clear and well lit. Employers also have a duty to encourage everyone to report potential hazards and provide employees with appropriate PPE, such as non-slip footwear, if required.

Injury while handling, lifting or carrying

Following closely behind, 20% of workplace injuries were caused while handling, lifting or carrying various items. These types of incidents can often happen when workers attempt to move heavy or oversized loads without using the proper techniques or equipment.

From strains and sprains to severe musculoskeletal damage, these injuries can massively impact an employee’s health and result in them needing long-term sick leave. It’s therefore essential that employers properly assess the risks, train employees on the correct handling techniques and offer lifting equipment if necessary.

Acts of violence

Around 8% of workplace injuries were a result of physical assault – an incredibly worrying statistic. Although these incidents can often cause bruising, cuts and fractures, the impact extends beyond the physical and can result in psychological trauma too.

There are certain roles and settings where this might be more common, such as in the emergency services, social care and healthcare sectors. In such industries, it’s vital that employers have conducted a thorough risk assessment and provided support in the form of clear workplace safety policies and appropriate training, such as de-escalation strategies.

Struck by moving, flying or falling objects

Being struck by moving, flying or falling objects accounted for 7% of workplace injuries last year. Depending on the weight and size of the item, this can cause injuries ranging from minor bruises to serious fractures or head trauma. Often, this is caused by loads being improperly stacked or stored, so it’s essential to put in place clear storage practices. In high-risk environments, such as construction sites, employers will also be obligated to provide suitable PPE, such as hard hats.

Contact with moving machinery or vehicles

Moving machinery or vehicles were responsible for 6% of workplace injuries last year. In certain environments – such as manufacturing, logistics or industrial settings – employees will be working alongside forklifts and heavy production machinery, which means there is a high chance of collisions if the correct safety procedures aren’t followed. Due to the force and weight of these machines, injuries in these circumstances can be incredibly dangerous, if not fatal.

What are the most common workplace injuries?

Across all sectors and settings in 2024, the most common workplace injuries were:

Sprains and strains (26%)
Superficial injuries (26%)
Lacerations and open wounds (15%)
Fractures (14%)
Burns (5%)
Disclocations (3%)

However, these statistics only tell half the story. Many workplaces injuries may not immediately appear serious but could manifest into long-term health conditions without proper intervention. For example, certain injuries caused by repetitive strain – such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and chronic back pain – often develop gradually and can lead to reduced mobility and persistent pain if the right workplace adjustments aren’t made.

Not all injuries are physical, and there’s also the impact on mental health to consider too. If your workplace is a particularly high-pressure environment where employees are placed under near-constant stress, this can lead to anxiety, burnout and other stress-related illnesses. While these mental health conditions won’t usually be counted in the above statistics, this doesn’t mean they are any less serious; such issues can have a severe impact on an employee’s well-being.

What are the most dangerous jobs in the UK?

Not all jobs are created equal, and there are certain roles where employees are placed at a much higher risk due to the nature of the work and the environment. The most dangerous industries in the UK are those where workers frequently come into contact with heavy machinery and challenging conditions, like:

Agriculture, forestry and fishing: Workers in this industry face an injury rate that’s 20 times higher than the national average, which is no surprise when you consider the heavy machinery, unpredictable livestock and outdoor hazards that they are exposed to.
Construction: Most workers regularly come into contact with power tools, heavy materials, heights, machinery and other hazards on the construction site, all of which contribute to a high injury rate.
Manufacturing: Undergoing repetitive tasks and working with dangerous chemicals and industrial equipment increases the chance of developing both acute injuries and long-term conditions.

How to prevent workplace injuries

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, all employers have a legal duty to ensure the safety and welfare of their employees while at work, “so far as is reasonably practical”.

This means that if an injury occurs and the employer failed to take the necessary steps to prevent this, they could be considered liable.

Some ways you can prevent workplace injuries include:

Provide the correct PPE: All employees should have access to the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to protect them in their role. This could include hard hats, eye protection, safety boots, respirators and more. PPE should also be regularly checked and replaced if it’s found to be damaged or no longer effective.
Train your employees: Often, workplace accidents happen because employees simply aren’t aware of the proper procedures. By educating all staff members in safe working practices, as well as any job-specific safety training, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. You should also host regular refresher sessions to ensure everyone stays up to date.
Carry out a thorough workplace risk assessment: During a workplace risk assessment, a professional will assess your working environment and identify any specific hazards that might be affecting workers’ health, before recommending improvements or changes to procedure that will reduce risk.
Implement regular health surveillance: Those in high-risk roles should be regularly monitored to detect the first signs of work-related health conditions. By identifying symptoms early on, you can provide support and implement proactive measures to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Provide occupational health assessments: Whether you have an employee returning to work after a long-term absence or you’re supporting a staff member with an underlying health condition, an occupational health assessment is the best way to determine what adjustments, if any, should be made to ensure the employee can work safely and effectively.
Encourage a safety-first culture: Create a welcoming, communicative workplace where employees feel comfortable reporting hazards and raising concerns about unsafe working practices; otherwise, issues might get swept under the rug, increasing the risk of accidents in the future.
Work with a trusted occupational health provider: An experienced occupational health provider, like Healthier Workforce, can work with you to reduce risks on site, prevent workplace injuries and foster a healthier and safer workplace.

How can Healthier Workforce help?

Don’t allow easily preventable injuries to disrupt your workplace. Since 2009, the team here at Healthier Workforce has been supporting businesses across the UK with a range of occupational health services. From occupational health assessments to ongoing health surveillance, our experienced clinicians help employers to reduce accidents, support employee well-being and fulfil their legal obligations. Let’s create a healthier workforce, together.

To find out more about what we do, give our experts a call today. Alternatively, you can fill out our online referral form and we’ll get back to you.