The transportation and storage sector was the third most fatal industry in 2025, recording 15 fatalities - a rise of 25% over the past five years, according to new research from workplace health and safery training consultancy Astutis.
The research looked at HSE data on fatal injuries to UK workers from 10 years ago and compared it to the fatality rates for 2024/25.
It found that transportation and storage sector ranked as the the third most fatal industry to work in as of 2025, coming in behind agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which recorded 23 fatalities, and construction, which ranked the deadliest sector, with 35 fatalities.
Fatal injuries in the UK transportation and storage sector have risen by 25% over the past five years, the data revealed. The report from Astutis also noted that, as of 2025, the top five fatal workplace accidents - falls from height (35), struck by moving or falling objects (18), trapped by collapsing structures (17), struck by vehicles (14), and contact with machinery (13) - highlight the ongoing risks in sectors like transportation and storage.
However, on the upside, the data showed that the majority of accidents covered have reduced in frequency compared to the past decade. Only three accident types have increased since 2014/15. These are contact with electricity or electrical discharge, which has seen a 75% increase; slips, trips or falls on the same level, which jumped 50%; and being trapped by something collapsing or overturning, with the data showing a 21% increase.
Brenig Moore, Astutis technical director, said: “Compliance is not enough; organisations must adopt stronger safety cultures that embed risk awareness, leadership accountability, and continuous training at every level.”
He added: “Workplace risks are evolving; stress, fatigue, lone working and new technologies are shaping today’s challenges, and unless addressed, the rise in fatalities will continue.
“Every sector, whether traditionally high-risk or not, must recognise that proactive training and modern approaches to safety are critical for protecting workers.”
