Comparisons with European countries 2024 to 2025
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How Great Britain Compares with Europe on Workplace Health and Safety
HSE statistics show how Great Britain compares with other European countries in workplace health and safety. These comparisons help us understand where the UK stands internationally and highlight the long-term impact of strong health and safety standards.
Fatal Workplace Injury Rates
The HSE reports that the UK consistently has one of the lowest fatal injury rates in Europe. Using 2018 data, the UK’s fatal injury rate was very similar to Germany’s and lower than those recorded in France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the EU-27 average.
This is particularly significant given that the UK is one of Europe’s largest economies with a wide and diverse range of industries. Despite this, the UK continues to perform strongly in preventing fatal workplace accidents.
Non-Fatal Injuries and Work-Related Ill Health
When we look at non-fatal injuries and work-related ill health, the picture remains positive.
Based on 2020 figures, the percentage of workers reporting a work-related health problem that resulted in time off work was:
- Italy: 2.4%
- United Kingdom: 3.3%
- France: 5.3%
- Poland: 12.8%
These figures show that the UK compares favourably with many European countries, with lower levels of work-related ill health leading to absence.
Non-Fatal Workplace Injuries Leading to Time Off
A similar pattern is seen when looking at self-reported non-fatal workplace injuries that resulted in time off work:
- United Kingdom: 1.0%
- Poland: 1.0%
- Germany: Higher than 1.0%
- Italy: Higher than 1.0%
- Spain: Higher than 1.0%
- France: 2.8% (highest reported)
These comparisons highlight that UK workplaces tend to experience fewer non-fatal injuries leading to absence than many other European nations.
Standardised Fatal Injury Rates Across Europe
The standardised incidence rate of fatal injuries further reinforces the UK’s strong position.
In 2018, the number of fatal injuries per 100,000 workers was:
- United Kingdom: 0.62
- Germany: 0.56
- Italy: 1.01
- Poland: 1.06
- Spain: 1.29
- France: 3.10
- EU-27 average: 1.51
These figures clearly show that the UK is one of the safest places to work in Europe, particularly when it comes to preventing fatal workplace accidents.
Understanding the EU-27 Comparison
It is important to note that the EU-27 average excludes the UK, as it is based on data from 2020 onwards. Even so, the comparisons consistently demonstrate that Great Britain remains among the top-performing European nations for workplace health and safety.
Overall, these statistics highlight the value of effective regulation, strong safety culture, and ongoing investment in workplace health and safety across the UK.
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