Kent is one of England’s busiest counties for construction, logistics, and manufacturing. Thousands of people go to work across the county every day in industries where the risk of injury is a very real part of the job. Yet workplace safety is rarely discussed until something goes wrong.

The latest data from the Health and Safety Executive paints a sobering picture — and it’s one that every employer in Kent should take note of.

What the Latest HSE Figures Tell Us

According to the HSE’s most recent annual statistics, 126 workers were killed in work-related accidents across Great Britain in 2025/26 — a provisional figure that will be confirmed in full later this year. In the previous year, 124 workers lost their lives. These are not numbers from a distant era of industrial neglect. They are happening now, in workplaces much like those across Kent.

Beyond fatalities, the scale of non-fatal harm is even harder to ignore. An estimated 680,000 workers sustained a non-fatal workplace injury in 2024/25, with 59,219 of those formally reported under RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).

A further 1.9 million workers reported suffering from a work-related illness they believed was caused or made worse by their job — from physical musculoskeletal disorders to stress, depression and anxiety.

The collective cost to the British economy? A staggering £22.9 billion in a single year — representing lost productivity, healthcare costs, and the human toll of preventable harm. That’s not to mention the significant non-financial impact on the lives of those affected.

The Industries Carrying the Highest Risk

Some sectors carry significantly more risk than others — and they happen to be sectors that employ a large number of people across Kent.

Construction remains the most dangerous industry in which to work. The HSE records an injury rate of approximately 2,500 per 100,000 workers in construction — well above the national average of 1,780. With major housebuilding projects across Tonbridge, Maidstone, Folkestone, and the wider Thames Estuary area, Kent’s construction workforce is one of the largest in the South East. Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of worker fatalities nationally, accounting for the largest share of the 35 construction deaths recorded in 2024/25.

Transport and logistics is not far behind, recording injury rates of around 2,430 per 100,000 workers. As home to the Port of Dover — the UK’s busiest freight port — and a network of major logistics hubs serving London and beyond, Kent employs thousands of people in roles that involve heavy vehicles, moving plant, and fast-paced warehouse environments.

Manufacturing also sits above the national average at approximately 2,110 injuries per 100,000 workers — relevant to the many factories and production sites operating across the county.

How Injuries Happen

Understanding the most common causes of workplace injury is the first step in preventing them. The HSE’s 2024/25 data shows the following breakdown for non-fatal injuries reported under RIDDOR:

• Slips, trips or falls on the same level — 30% of incidents
• Handling, lifting or carrying — 17%
• Struck by a moving object — 10%
• Acts of violence — 10%
• Falls from height — 8%

Falls from height, while lower in the non-fatal breakdown, tell a different story in the fatal injury data — where they represent the single most common cause of worker deaths. For anyone working in construction, maintenance, or facilities management in Kent, working at height is not just an occupational hazard — it is the occupational hazard.

What the Law Requires

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees, as far as is reasonably practicable. This includes identifying risks, putting controls in place, and — critically — ensuring workers are competent to carry out their roles safely.

Competency, in most regulated industries, means holding an accredited qualification. For those working at height, that means PASMA certification for mobile access towers or an IPAF licence for powered access equipment. Site managers and supervisors are expected to hold CITB SMSTS or SSSTS qualifications. Forklift operators require a recognised operator licence. First aiders must hold a current, accredited qualification.

Failure to ensure workers hold the right qualifications is not just a legal risk — it is a moral one.

Keeping Your Kent Workforce Safe

The good news is that most workplace accidents are preventable. Studies consistently show that well-trained teams have significantly lower rates of injury, fewer incidents, and stronger safety cultures overall. Training is not a compliance box to tick — it is one of the most effective investments a business can make.

For Kent employers looking to ensure their teams are properly qualified, Kentec Training is a Tonbridge-based health and safety training provider delivering more than 150 accredited programmes across the county and South East. From work at height training covering IPAF and PASMA, to CITB qualifications for site managers and first aid at work training for general workplaces, their experienced instructors draw on real-world industry knowledge to ensure delegates don’t just pass a course — they leave genuinely more competent.

The 680,000 injuries reported last year were not all inevitable. A culture of proper training, clear processes, and genuine commitment to safety makes a measurable difference. If your team is due a refresh, or if you’re bringing new workers on board this year, now is the time to act.