The field of Health & Safety saw significant developments in 2025, and with it, numerous changes and events. At Peninsula, we want to make sure people stay safe and healthy at work. Therefore, it is essential to identify certain hazards and implement the correct control measures for employees to not fall victim of any ill health or injuries in the workplace. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently published this year’s official statistics on work-related Health & Safety in Great Britain, which include key figures in areas such as work-related stress, work-related injuries and substances hazardous to health.
In this guide, we will be highlighting figures in various sectors, the causes for certain incidents and what control measures need to be considered.
Official statistics published by the HSE state that:
Over 900,000 working people suffer from work-related stress, depression and anxiety which resulted in 22 million working days lost.
Classed as the invisible hazard within Health & Safety, stress can be both psychological and physical. It can occur outside of work, and impact work related issues, resulting in a lack of self-esteem, loss of confidence, becoming withdrawn, lethargy, aggression, poor attendance and loss of productivity.
The main causes of work-related stress are high demands, such as an increased workload, changes in work patterns and work environment. It could also be from a lack of support and training to perform the job well, and a lack of encouragement and resources in the workplace. Having conflicting relationships with colleagues can also contribute to stress, with unacceptable behaviour, harassment and bullying.
It is therefore important to spot the signs of stress early within the workplace, to ensure employees have the support they need. For instance:
- Raise issues and concerns as soon as possible.
- Ensure sufficient breaks throughout the day when feeling overwhelmed or burned out.
- Get help if you are overloaded with work.
- Don’t keep it to yourself- talk to friends and family
- Arrange a confident chat with your mental health first aider.
Our mental health is important, and no one should feel alone and isolated. It is important you talk about it, and address any concern. Peninsula offers managing stress for employees e-learning courses and advice on how to conduct a wellbeing and stress risk assessment , to help you spot the signs in yourself and others early.
0.5 million workers suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), which resulted in 7 million working days lost.
MSD stem from injuries related to muscles, nerves and tendons. The disorder is caused by work related tasks that can cause strains, sprains and carpal tunnel syndrome.
The industries with high rates of MSD are:
- Construction: Primarily caused by manual handling activities, the construction industry experiences symptoms such as pain, numbness and swelling. This is due to repetitive movements of lifting, pushing and pulling heavy loads, which involve a lot of twisting, bending, crouching and reaching. Other causes of MSD within the construction industry are exposure to prolonged use of vibration such as working with drills, jigsaws, and other heavy tools, all resulting in severe lower back and shoulder pain. Control measures could include eliminating or reducing exposure to the task, assessing risks, breaking down the load, and improve certain techniques.
- Transportation and storage: Similar to construction, the transport industry include tasks such as moving and storing baggage and cargo which requires lifting, pushing and pulling. MSD can also come from prolonged sitting in a poor posture, adding a lot of stress to the lower back, and knees. Certain control measures could be to improve vehicle ergonomics, ensuring driver and passengers are comfortable and assessing the risks. Additionally, implement training for employees on how to use equipment safely and maintain good posture and encourage stretching and exercise.
- Administration and support, including office workers: MSD and poor ergonomics can be a result of sitting in an awkward position and posture, repetitive tasks using a mouse and keyboard, and lack of movement. It is therefore important to ensure workstations are correctly set up in for example an office, with the correct display screen equipment and employees taking frequent breaks.
At Peninsula, we ensure employers assess the risks, guiding them through how to conduct a risk assessment, and provide e-learning courses with the correct use of display screen equipment.
11,000 lung disease deaths each year, with over 2,000 deaths related to mesothelioma, a cancer due to exposure of asbestos.
It is estimated that 22,000 new cases of lung complications will be reported due to exposure of certain elements in the workplace. These elements could be asbestos containing materials, which are microscopic fibres that can be inhaled and cause irreversible damage to the lungs.
It could also be wood and silica dust which can be released into the air by cutting, grinding, sanding or drilling the material. When cutting minerals such as stone, it releases very small crystalline silica particles, invisible to the naked eye which can be inhaled. Other elements that contribute to lung disease are chemicals and welding fumes, which can result in asthma, and lung and kidney cancer.
- Implementing the correct control measures is essential, such as:
- Using local exhaust ventilation where possible.
- Enclosure to high dust processes to contain it.
- Changes to processes where possible.
- Using the correct respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
For any asbestos containing materials, it is important to conduct an asbestos survey and remove the material by a competent and qualified person.
Peninsula offers 24/7 Health & Safety advice if you are unsure on any hazardous substances that can cause severe ill health, e-learning on the topic and we offer an asbestos survey service for our clients to ensure you stay protected and compliant. For more information on additional Health & Safety services contact us today.
Over 600,000 workers experienced non-fatal work injuries, and 124 deaths from work-related accidents.
Some of the most common non-fatal incidents are:
- Slips, trips or falls covering 30% of all non-fatal incidents. The danger with slip and trip accidents is that they are so commonplace, some hazards tend to be overlooked. Common hazards could include wet floors, uneven flooring, poor lighting, clutter and trailing cables. Employers need ensure correct control measures are in place, such as maintaining clear pathways, wearing proper footwear, correct lighting, and always report hazards.
- Manual handling, lifting and carrying heavy loads, resulting in 17% of all non-fatal incidents. Injuries could result from poor grip and posture when carrying heavy loads. It is essential that you assess heavy loads before any lifting or carrying, use proper lifting techniques, and use mechanical aids where possible.
- Struck by moving objects with 10% of all non-fatal incidents. Certain objects could be anything falling such as tools or debris, or it could be rolling objects such as any mobile equipment or pipes that are loose. If these hazards are not assessed, it could cause severe head, spinal and back injuries, fractures, cuts and internal injuries. Essential control measures could be to use barriers, highlight pathways for pedestrians, good housekeeping within the workplace and limit access to dangerous areas.
- Falling from height with 8% of all non-fatal incidents. Working on unstable work surfaces, or on equipment that is not properly secured can cause workers to fall from height, and cause significant head injuries, paralysis, broken ribs or at worst, fatalities. It is crucial to ensure you identify and eliminate the hazards where possible or install any protective barriers to prevent the fall.
If you need any advice or guidance on how to assess and implement the appropriate control measures, Peninsula offers 24/7 Health & Safety advice on risk assessments, general health & safety and we provides guidance documents and e-learning on manual handling and various other health and safety topics.
