International Workers’ Memorial Day (or the National Day of Mourning in Canada) is an international day of remembrance and action for workers who have been killed, disabled, injured, or made unwell by their work.

The day serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to improve workplace safety standards and to prevent future tragedies.

The theme for International Workers’ Memorial Day 2025 is “Occupational Health and Safety: A Fundamental Right at Work” with a specific focus on the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization.  The day will address how AI and other digital technologies are affecting the safety and well-being of workers, including potential negative impacts like increased work intensification and surveillance.

In the UK in recent decades there have been large reductions in both fatal and non-fatal workplace injuries. However, the picture for ill health is mixed.

The HSE Health and Safety at Work Statistics is an annual release of updated health and safety statistics on work-related injury, ill health, and costs in Great Britain. These statistics provide critical insights into the prevalence of workplace injuries, occupational diseases, and the economic impact of poor health and safety practices.

 

  • 1.7 million workers suffering from work-related ill health (new or long-standing) in 2023/24.
    (Source: Labour Force Survey estimates)

  • 0.8 million workers suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2023/24.
    (Source: Labour Force Survey estimates)

  • 0.5 million workers suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2023/24.
    (Source: Labour Force Survey estimates)

  • 0.6 million workers sustaining a workplace non-fatal injury in 2023/24.
    (Source: Labour Force Survey estimates)

  • 61,663 employee work-related non-fatal injuries reported by employers under RIDDOR in 2023/24.
    (Source: RIDDOR)

  • 138 workers killed in work-related accidents in 2023/24.
    (Source: RIDDOR)

  • 33.7 million working days lost due to work-related ill health and workplace injury in 2023/24.
    (Source: Labour Force Survey estimates)

  • 12,000 lung disease deaths each year estimated to be linked to past exposures at work.
    (Source: Counts from death certificates and epidemiological estimates)

  • 2,257 mesothelioma deaths in 2022, with a similar number of lung cancer deaths linked to asbestos exposure.
    (Source: Counts from death certificates and epidemiological estimates)

  • £14.5 billion annual costs of new cases of work-related ill health in 2022/23 (excluding long-latency illnesses like cancer).
    (Source: HSE Cost Model)

  • £7.1 billion annual costs of workplace injury in 2022/23.
    (Source: HSE Cost Model)

  • £21.6 billion total annual cost of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health in 2022/23 (excluding long-latency illnesses).
    (Source: HSE Cost Model)

(Overall Source: HSE)

Now 50 years old, the Health and Safety Executive has led the way in establishing Great Britain as becoming one of the safest places in the world to work. In 1974, 651 employees were killed at work; HSE’s latest annual statistics for 2023/24 show that number had reduced to 138.

This International Workers’ Memorial Day, we remember all those who have died at work or due to work-related illnesses.