“Accidents happen” and that includes in the workplace. Headline grabbing statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), highlight that 138 workers tragically lost their lives in work-related accidents in 2023/24, with 604,000 working people sustaining an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey.
While sometimes you may just be unlucky, at other times accidents were completely avoidable. In the workplace, employers are required by law to manage health and safety risks to ensure the working environment is safe. But if things go wrong and if you sustain an injury from a workplace accident, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim.
What is considered an injury at work?
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) defines an “accident at work” as an adverse event that results in injury or ill health. This broad definition covers a multitude of different scenarios. Anything from an overturning filing cabinet to a vehicle collision can fall under the “accident at work” umbrella.
In the UK, employers are legally required to manage health and safety in their places of work and thus, look after their employees. Failing to execute their duty of care responsibilities can mean that an employer was negligent, and if this negligence results in an accident that causes you an injury or illness, then you may be entitled to make a compensation claim for damages.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed, so here we’ll talk about the 10 most common types of accidents at work and what to do if you are injured.
The 10 Most Common Workplace Injuries
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Slips, Trips & Falls
Slipping or tripping is the most common cause of injuries at work, accounting for around 40% of reported major workplace injuries and costing employers over £500 million per year rospa.com. These accidents can occur in any workplace, from wet floors in an office kitchen to icy car parks and often result in sprains, fractures, or worse. Falls from height (e.g. off ladders or scaffolding) are especially dangerous; globally, they rank as the second leading cause of injury-related deaths (after road accidents) iosh.com. Ensuring walkways are clear, promptly cleaning spills, using proper signage (wet floor warnings), and securing ladders or platforms are critical steps to prevent these accidents. -
Falling Objects
Being struck by falling tools, stock, or equipment can cause serious injuries, even if the object isn’t very heavy. Items that aren’t properly secured on shelves or scaffolding can fall and lead to head injuries, cuts, or bruises. This risk isn’t limited to construction sites or warehouses – even an overloaded top shelf in an office or a poorly balanced filing cabinet can topple and injure someone. Employers should store items safely (heavy items on lower shelves, for example) and enforce hard hat use in higher-risk areas. -
Handling, Lifting or Carrying Injuries
Improper manual handling (lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling objects) frequently leads to muscle strains, sprains, and back injuries. These kinds of musculoskeletal injuries are extremely common; HSE estimates around 477,000 workers suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders. While warehouse and construction workers are particularly at risk, even office staff can injure themselves lifting heavy files or equipment without proper technique. Training employees on safe lifting techniques, providing trolleys or lifting aids, and encouraging team lifts for heavy items can significantly reduce these injuries. -
Acts of Violence
Workplace violence may not immediately come to mind, but it is a notable cause of injuries on the job. Physical assaults or aggressive altercations can occur, especially in high-stress environments or public-facing roles (for example, healthcare, law enforcement, or retail). Whether stemming from conflicts between colleagues or attacks by customers/clients, such incidents can result in both physical injuries and emotional trauma. Employers should have clear policies and training on de-escalation and conflict resolution, and appropriate security measures in place, to protect staff from violence at work. -
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
RSI refers to a range of painful conditions caused by performing the same movements repeatedly over time. Office workers who spend all day typing are prone to hand and wrist strains (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome), but RSI can affect anyone with repetitive tasks – from factory assembly line workers to hairdressers. Symptoms often start with minor aches or tingling and can progress to chronic pain or weakness. Proper ergonomic setups (such as adjustable chairs, keyboard rests), regular breaks and task rotation can help prevent RSI. Both employers and employees should be proactive in designing workflows that reduce prolonged repetitive motions. -
Exposure to Loud Noises
Long-term noise exposure in industries like construction, manufacturing, aviation, or live entertainment can lead to irreversible hearing damage, including noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus (persistent ringing in the ears). The danger with loud noise is that damage accumulates gradually, when workers might not realise their hearing is deteriorating until it’s too late. Employers should provide adequate ear protection (earplugs or earmuffs) and abide by HSE noise regulations (e.g. monitoring decibel levels and enforcing exposure limits). Raising awareness of hearing conservation is key, as is engineering controls like dampening loud machinery when possible. -
Exposure to Hazardous Substances (Toxic Fumes)
In many workplaces, employees may encounter harmful chemicals or fumes that can cause injury or illness. This includes everything from cleaning chemicals in an office, to laboratory reagents, to industrial solvents and dust. Short-term exposure can result in dizziness, skin or eye irritation, or chemical burns, while long-term exposure may lead to serious respiratory problems or illnesses. Employers should follow COSHH guidelines (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health), which means providing proper ventilation, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and training on handling chemicals safely. Regular health monitoring for those working with toxic substances is also advisable. Occupational lung disease also falls under this category, where almost 2,300 Mesothelioma deaths in 2022 were recorded, coupled with a with a similar number of lung cancer deaths linked to past exposures to asbestos (HSE, Summary statistics for Great Britain 2024). -
Burns
Workplace burns are not confined to factories as they can happen in kitchens, laboratories, construction sites, and more. Thermal burns (from hot surfaces, steam and open flames) and chemical burns (from caustic substances) are common injuries and electrical burns can occur in jobs involving live wiring or equipment maintenance. While many burns are minor, severe burns can be life-changing, causing permanent tissue damage or scarring. Preventive measures include providing appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, aprons, face shields), clearly labeling hot or dangerous materials and enforcing lockout/tagout procedures for electrical work. First-aid training for burns can also minimise harm if an accident occurs. -
Vehicle Collisions
Employees who drive as part of their job (delivery drivers, bus, coach and taxi drivers, truck operators, or even staff who travel between sites) face the risk of traffic accidents. On work sites, operators of forklifts or heavy equipment also have collision hazards. Crashes or impacts can lead to devastating injuries, from whiplash and broken bones to fatalities. Common factors include fatigue, distraction (e.g. using phones), or time pressure leading to speeding. Employers should promote safe driving policies for instance, reasonable schedules to prevent driver tiredness and fatigue, vehicle maintenance and training on defensive driving. Where applicable, technology like telematics or dashcams can help monitor and improve driving safety. -
Cuts and Lacerations
Many workplaces contain sharp tools or machinery that can cause cuts. Construction and manufacturing sites have obvious dangers (saws, blades, metal edges), but even offices and retail stores involve box cutters, paper trimmers, or broken glass. Most workplace cuts are minor, but deep lacerations can require stitches or even surgery and any open wound carries a risk of infection. Employers must ensure appropriate safety guards on machinery, provide cut-resistant gloves when handling sharp objects and train employees on proper tool use. A culture of safety, for example not taking shortcuts like removing machine guards goes a long way in preventing laceration injuries.
Preventing Accidents and Staying Safe at Work
Workplace injuries are not inevitable. UK health and safety laws require employers to take proactive steps to protect employees. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 obliges employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees and others affected by work activities, including taking steps to control common slip, trip and manual handling risks rospa.com. In practice, this means conducting regular risk assessments and implementing measures to mitigate hazards. The HSE (Health & Safety Executive) and safety organisations like RoSPA emphasise that many accidents can be prevented through simple precautions rospa.com. For example, employers should provide proper training, maintain equipment, enforce the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where needed and create clear safety procedures for dangerous tasks. Employees, for their part, should stay alert, follow safety guidelines and report any hazards or near-misses. A strong safety culture where everyone from management to new hires is committed to identifying and addressing risks is often the best defence against workplace injuries.
Katie Hinton, Personal Injury Specialist at Waldrons Solicitors with over 20 years of experience in Birmingham and the Black Country, shares her view on this:
By understanding the common causes of workplace injuries and taking proper precautions, most accidents are entirely preventable. When employers and staff work together, conducting risk assessments, using the right equipment and staying vigilant means that everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.
Contact Waldrons Personal Injury Solicitors for Legal Support
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Here at Waldrons, we have a team of experienced personal injury solicitors who can help you to recover the compensation you deserve if you’ve sustained an injury at work. Contact us today to discuss your circumstances.
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