New data from Simpson Millar indicates that nearly two-thirds (64%) of workplace accidents go unreported.
This statistic underscores a significant underreporting issue, as only 36 percent of workers have reported such incidents.
The data suggests that unreported accidents are common, with 31 percent of workers admitting they “never thought to report” their injuries. This revelation implies that the actual number of non-fatal injuries, officially recorded at 561,000 in the UK last year, could be substantially higher if all incidents were reported.
Several factors contribute to this underreporting. Some workers might not recognise their injuries immediately and thus fail to report them. Others may be unsure about the reporting process or decide to ignore it altogether.
Lack of Awareness
A significant 46 percent of workers are unaware of how to report an accident at work, which hampers their ability to seek appropriate support and might discourage reporting. Although 27 percent know the proper department to contact, the data highlights the need for better workplace communication and training on reporting procedures.
Industries with Highest Non-Fatal Injuries
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data reveals that certain industries are more prone to non-fatal injuries. The human health and social work sector tops the list with 10,834 reported injuries, followed by manufacturing (10,382) and transportation and storage (8,059).
| Rank | Industry | Total Number of Reported Non-Fatal Injuries to Employees |
| 1 | Human health and social work activities | 10,834 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 10,382 |
| 3 | Transportation and storage | 8,059 |
| 4 | Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 6,873 |
| 5 | Education | 4,845 |
| 6 | Construction | 4,038 |
| 7 | Accommodation and food service activities | 3,992 |
| 8 | Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 3,405 |
| 9 | Information and communication; financial and insurance activities; real estate activities; professional, scientific and technical activities; administrative and support service activities | 2,616 |
| 10 | Arts, entertainment and recreation; other service activities; activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods-and services-producing activities of households for own use; activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies | 2,598 |
Most Dangerous Industries
While the health and social work sector reports the highest number of injuries, the agricultural sector has the highest rate of non-fatal injuries per 100,000 workers, at 246. The water supply and waste management sector follows with 216 per 100,000, starkly contrasting with the health and social work sector’s rate of 59 per 100,000.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
