Recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive have revealed some of the UK’s most dangerous industries (carrying highest rate of fatality or serious injury) and the results might surprise you…

We look at 10 of Britain’s most dangerous industries.

Health and Social Care

Between 2012-13, an estimated 5 million workers in health and social care became ill or injured as a result of their work. Stress was the main contributing factor to employees taking days off work sick.

Librarian

While it seem unlikely, one worker was killed in the “libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities industry” between 2012-13. There were also a reported 46 major injuries in the industry in the same year.

Education

According to the HSE, education is one of the most accident-prone industries you can work in. Statistics show that 1,736 people reported a major injury in the sector between 2012-13, although there were no reported fatalities.

Retail

For some workers in retail, shop keeping can be a risky business. There were 1,619 major injuries reported in the sector, with criminal attacks being one of the biggest threats to staff safety.

Estate Agent

While it might appear a relatively sedate occupation on the surface, there were actually 4 deaths and 70 major injuries in the rental and leasing activities industry during 2012-13.

Car handling

Both car salesmen and mechanics are at risk when at work, with 8 deaths and almost 300 major injuries recorded in the car handling industry between 2012-13.

Refuse Collection

As one of the UK’s most hazardous industries, refuse collection recorded 12 deaths between 2012-13. Most injuries in the sector are caused by slips, trips and falls, closely followed by being struck by a moving vehicle.

Mining

While the industry may have reduced significantly over the years, mining still holds one of the highest fatality rates in the country at 9.6 per 100,000 employees.

Construction

Perhaps one of the less surprising entries on the list, there were 39 fatal injuries on building sites in 2013, more than in any other industry. In fact, an article by the Guardian put the fatalities into context when it reported that since 2011, 448 British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. Over the same period, more than 760 construction workers have been killed on British sites.

Farming

By far the UK’s riskiest industry, agriculture accounts for 1 in 5 fatal injuries to workers. During 2012-13, 29 farmers or farm workers were killed while at work.

If you have suffered an injury at work and it wasn’t your fault, then contact our expert injury lawyers immediately on 0808 301 8217 to discuss your accident.