Accidents at work can happen in almost any environment, from offices and shops to warehouses, factories and construction sites. However, some types of workplace accidents occur far more frequently than others.
According to the latest detailed Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures, slips, trips and falls on the same level are the most common cause of non-fatal workplace injuries reported by employers, accounting for 30% of cases in 2024/25.
When we look specifically at fatal workplace accidents, however, the picture changes. Falls from height are unfortunately the biggest cause of fatalities at work, with 31 worker deaths recorded in 2025/26.
Below, we look at the most common causes of accidents in the workplace, why they happen and when an injured employee may be able to make an accident at work claim.
What Is the Most Common Cause of Injury at Work?
Slips, trips and falls on the same level remain the biggest single category of non-fatal workplace accidents reported under RIDDOR.
In 2024/25, they accounted for 30% of non-fatal injuries to employees reported by employers.
These accidents aren’t restricted to traditionally high-risk workplaces. Someone can slip or trip in an office, supermarket or restaurant just as easily as they can in a warehouse or factory.
Common hazards can include:
- Wet or contaminated floors
- Uneven or damaged flooring
- Trailing cables
- Poorly maintained walkways
- Obstructions left in working areas
- Inadequate lighting
The resulting injuries can range from relatively minor sprains and bruising to fractures, head injuries and more serious long-term problems.
What Are the Other Most Common Workplace Accidents?
Although slips, trips and falls are the leading cause, HSE statistics show several other accident types account for a significant proportion of workplace injuries.
Handling, Lifting or Carrying Accidents
Handling, lifting or carrying accounted for 17% of employer-reported non-fatal injuries in 2024/25.
Manual handling accidents can occur when workers are expected to lift, move, push or carry objects without appropriate equipment, training or safe systems of work.
These incidents can result in back injuries, strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries.
Being Struck by a Moving Object
Around 10% of reported non-fatal injuries involved someone being struck by a moving object.
This could include falling tools or materials, objects being moved around a workplace or items that haven’t been stored or secured safely.
The risk can be particularly significant in environments such as construction sites, factories and warehouses where heavy materials and equipment are regularly moved.
Violence at Work
Rather surprisingly, acts of violence also accounted for 10% of employer-reported non-fatal injuries.
Certain occupations can carry a greater risk of violence, particularly where employees regularly interact with members of the public or work in challenging environments.
Employers should assess foreseeable risks and take reasonable steps to protect workers where violence is a recognised workplace hazard.
Falls From Height
Falls from height accounted for 8% of employer-reported non-fatal workplace injuries.
Although less common than same-level slips and trips, the consequences can be considerably more serious. Accidents can involve ladders, scaffolding, roofs, platforms or other elevated working areas.
What Is the Biggest Cause of Fatalities at Work?
The biggest cause of workplace injury and the biggest cause of workplace fatalities are not the same.
According to the latest HSE figures, falls from height remained the leading cause of fatal workplace accidents in Great Britain in 2025/26, accounting for 31 worker deaths.
Falls from height have consistently been one of the most serious workplace risks. HSE’s previous five-year analysis also found that falls from height accounted for around 28% of worker fatalities between 2020/21 and 2024/25.
Other major causes of fatal workplace accidents include workers being struck by moving vehicles, struck by moving objects, trapped by something collapsing or overturning, and coming into contact with moving machinery.
This helps demonstrate why seemingly similar categories of accident can present very different levels of risk. Slips and trips are responsible for the greatest proportion of reported non-fatal accidents, whereas working at height presents a disproportionately serious risk of fatal injury.
Which Industries Have the Greatest Risk of Fatal Accidents?
Workplace accidents can occur in any industry, but fatality rates vary significantly between sectors.
HSE recorded 126 worker deaths in work-related accidents during 2025/26. Construction recorded the largest number, with 25 fatalities, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing with 22, manufacturing with 18 and transportation and storage with 15.
These industries commonly involve hazards such as working at height, heavy machinery, workplace vehicles and moving materials.
However, working in a comparatively low-risk industry doesn’t remove an employer’s responsibility to manage health and safety appropriately.
What Responsibilities Do Employers Have?
Employers have a legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees so far as is reasonably practicable.
The precautions required will depend on the workplace and the risks employees face, but appropriate measures could include:
- Carrying out suitable risk assessments
- Providing appropriate training
- Maintaining equipment and machinery
- Keeping floors and walkways safe
- Providing suitable personal protective equipment where required
- Ensuring work at height is properly planned and managed
- Providing safe systems for manual handling
- Managing risks involving workplace vehicles and machinery
Simply having a health and safety policy isn’t enough. Employers need to identify relevant risks and take reasonable practical steps to control them.
Can I Claim Compensation Following an Accident at Work?
Being injured at work doesn’t automatically mean you’re entitled to compensation.
To make an accident at work claim, you would generally need to establish that another party, such as your employer, breached the duty of care owed to you and that this negligence caused your injury.
For example, a claim might arise where an employee is injured because they weren’t provided with appropriate training, faulty equipment was being used, a known hazard wasn’t addressed or reasonable safety precautions weren’t implemented.
Every accident is different, so whether you can claim will depend on the circumstances and the available evidence.
What Should I Do After a Workplace Accident?
Your immediate priority should be your health. Seek appropriate medical attention and make sure your injuries are properly assessed.
Where possible, it can also be helpful to:
- Report the accident to your employer
- Ensure the incident is recorded appropriately
- Take photographs of the accident location or hazard
- Obtain contact details from witnesses
- Keep copies of relevant correspondence
- Retain receipts and evidence of financial losses
- Keep records of medical appointments and treatment
Certain serious workplace accidents must also be reported by the responsible person under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).
How The Claims Partnership Can Help
Slips, trips and falls may be the most common cause of non-fatal workplace injuries, but accidents at work can happen in many different ways.
If you’ve been injured at work and believe your employer or another party failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe, The Claims Partnership can help you understand your options.
Our experienced solicitors can review the circumstances surrounding your accident, establish whether negligence may have occurred and explain whether you could be entitled to pursue compensation.
Contact The Claims Partnership today for a free, no-obligation discussion about your accident at work claim.