The rate of construction workers suffering from work-related lung and musculoskeletal disorders is significantly higher than among workers from other industries, the latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data shows.
They also indicate that the rates of fatal (1.96%) and non-fatal injuries (2.4%) in the sector are significantly higher than across all other sectors, where the average rates per 100,000 workers are 0.4% and 1.7%, respectively.
These rates were obtained by identifying the number of self-reported work-related cases for every 100,000 workers from 2017/18 to 2023/24.
Although before the covid pandemic the percentage of fatal injuries in construction showed a downward trend, with signs of flattening out in more recent years, the average in the last two years is significantly higher than the pre-pandemic period.
Fifty-one construction workers died at work in the year to 31 March 2024 – a figure 70% higher than 2018/19.
Lung and musculoskeletal disorders
An estimated 5,000 construction workers—0.23% of the industry – suffered from a work-related breathing or lung problem (new and longstanding) during the reported period.
The HSE said this figure is significantly higher than for workers across other industries, where the rate is 0.11%.
Additionally, around 40,000 construction workers are suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder (new or longstanding), which translates to 52% of all ill health in the industry.
This is also higher than for workers across all industries, where the rate is 1.2%.
Self-reports
The figures also show that construction was the second industry with the highest self-reported workplace injuries in Great Britain over the last 12 months.
According to HSE, self-reports from the Labour Force Survey best indicate the overall scale of work-related ill health in Great Britain.
At a rate of 2,388 self-reported injuries for every 100,000 workers, construction comes second to accommodation and food services, where the figure was 2,818 per 100,000 workers for the past year.
The report said these are significantly higher rates compared to the average rate across all industries, which is 1,668 reports for every 100,000 workers.
