The top ten workplace accident hotspots of the UK have been revealed, including the top injuries in each area, to highlight the towns and cities where more needs to be done regarding enforcing health and safety regulations in the workplace.

According to First4Lawyers, over the last ten years there has been a 186% increase in the number of working days lost per year due to work-related injuries, with the average number of days off per person in 2020 totalling 20 days. HSE data has also reported that 123 workers were killed at work in 2020/21, with 1.7 million working people suffering from a work-related illness during this period.

Jacqueline Busby, head of claims at First4Lawyers, said:

“Although it is positive that numbers of serious workplace accidents, including fatalities, has fallen significantly in the last few decades, we are still seeing too many people being hurt in preventable incidents. It is perhaps unsurprising that big cities top the list of accident at work hotspots. However, when we look at the number of accidents per capita, there are some much smaller towns making up the top ten. This shows how employers all across the country need to be mindful of how they keep their workers safe. Carrying out the necessary risk assessments, providing PPE as required and ensuring workers are fully trained are essential. Not following the correct procedures could lead to legal action, so it is in an employer’s best interest to prioritise health and safety.

“We have also found that there is a wide range of injuries happening to employees – from cuts on hands to dislocated backs. Although injuries are more likely to affect individuals in certain roles, it is a reminder that no worker is completely free of risk. I would advise employees to focus on their own safety and that of their colleagues while at work. It is also a good idea to ensure that you know your rights. Understanding that you are legally entitled to protection from getting hurt or ill through work can help you recognise unsafe environments, as well as when you may be able to take legal action for a preventable injury.”

Top three accident hotspots
The city of Birmingham came out on top as the workplace accident capital of the UK with 809 reported injuries over the last ten years. This is despite a 41% decrease in accident claims over the past five years.

Once largely recognised as a city built on specialisms in engineering, the city with a population of 856,000 in 2022 has now transformed and diversified into a service-based economy, specialising in health, education, financial, insurance and public administration work. Despite this development, Birmingham still thrives with workforces in transport, logistics and construction.

However, such a range of industries comes with a range of health and safety measures that need to be adhered to in different roles. Across the industries in the city, the top workplace accident injuries reported in Birmingham are back- (236), hand- (171) and foot- (112) related injuries.

Taking the second spot for workplace accident hotspot of the UK is the northern powerhouse city of Manchester. With over 2.7 million residents across the city, there were 557 workplace accidents in total with the top injuries affecting the chest (219), back (163) and hand (123).

The home of the industrial revolution, the city continues to provide roles within manufacturing but has now become a key player in the technological revolution, combining traditional production methods with exciting new technologies. Aside from its roots, Manchester has built newer industries in digital media, logistics, business and health sectors.

Similarly to the workplace accident capital of Birmingham, Manchester has seen a decline in workplace injury claims over the last five years, with a 40% decrease. However, there is still more to be done to further reduce this figure.

The third workplace accident hotspot of the UK is Sheffield, with 469 reported injuries amongst a population of 741,000. With a well-known history of developing a booming steel industry, the city has now gone on to specialise in a variety of sectors, including digital and tech, energy, health as well as manufacturing and engineering.

With roots in labour-heavy roles, the top work injuries reported in Sheffield are aligned with the top three body areas where injuries were reported – revealed as back- (131), hand- (89) and foot- (72) related ailments. Unlike the top two hotspots, Sheffield has seen a 10% increase in workplace accidents – the only city to do so in this top ten.