HSE Stats on costs to Britain
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The Financial Impact of Workplace Injuries and Ill Health in Great Britain
The latest HSE statistics examine the financial impact of workplace injuries and work-related ill health across Great Britain. These costs highlight the scale of the issue, not only in human terms, but also in economic terms for employers, individuals, and the wider economy.
Total Annual Cost
According to the HSE, the total annual cost of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health in 2023/24 was estimated at £22.9 billion. This figure excludes long-latency illnesses such as work-related cancers, meaning the true cost is likely to be even higher.
Adjusted to 2024 prices, the costs break down as follows:
- £16.4 billion from new cases of work-related ill health
- £6.5 billion from workplace injuries
What the Costs Include
The HSE cost model accounts for both financial costs and human costs.
Financial costs include:
- Loss of output and productivity
- Healthcare and treatment costs
- Compensation and other related payments
Human costs represent:
- The monetary value of pain and suffering
- Grief and loss experienced by families
- The wider impact of injury, illness, and loss of life on communities
Who Bears the Cost?
The financial burden is not shared equally. The breakdown of who carries these costs is striking:
- Individuals: £13.4 billion
- Government: £5.2 billion
- Employers: £4.3 billion
This means that workers themselves bear the greatest share of the impact, through lost income, reduced quality of life, long-term health consequences, and personal suffering.
Ill Health vs Injury
The data also shows a clear imbalance between ill health and injury:
- 72% of total costs are due to work-related ill health
- 28% are due to workplace injuries
This reinforces findings across other HSE statistics: long-term health conditions, such as stress, musculoskeletal disorders, and respiratory disease, create the greatest financial and human burden.
Long-Term Cost Trends
A long-term view of the data from 2004/05 to 2023/24 shows that while costs fluctuate year to year, the overall financial burden remains consistently high. The pandemic years add further uncertainty, reflected in the shaded areas of HSE trend charts.
Why This Matters
These statistics make it clear that health and safety is not just about compliance. It is about protecting people, preserving wellbeing, and preventing enormous financial and human costs.
Investing in effective risk management, early intervention, and workplace wellbeing reduces suffering and makes strong economic sense for every organisation.
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