The context
The lowest on record. Behind it, the same causes as every year.
Main causes of worker deaths
The point
Low is not zero. And the rules kept moving this year.
Source: HSE, work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain 2025/26 (provisional)
The year at a glance
Seven changes. One list.
- 1 APRHSE fees rise to £188 an hourIn force
- 6 APRSick pay from day oneIn force
- 11 MAYNo dry cutting of engineered stoneGuidance
- 18 MAYGB asbestos limit held at 0.1In force
- 30 JUNRIDDOR consultation closesProposed
- 30 OCTDuty to prevent harassment, including by customersIn force
- 2027Martyn's Law: fines up to £18mComing
Summary of UK changes, January to November 2026. Pick one to jump to the detail.
Change 01 of 07
Getting it wrong now costs more
If an inspector finds a material breach, you pay HSE's Fee for Intervention for every hour spent on it, including follow-up visits and reports.
What to do
Keep PPE issue and training records ready to show, not ready to find.
Source: HSE cost recovery rates, from 1 April 2026
Change 02 of 07
Sick pay from day one, and a new enforcer
Statutory Sick Pay is now payable from the first day of absence. Sexual harassment can be a protected whistleblowing disclosure, and the Fair Work Agency opened on 7 April.
What to do
Make sure every site knows how to report a concern, and expect people to use it.
Source: Employment Rights Act 2025 implementation timeline
Change 03 of 07
Dry cutting engineered stone is unacceptable
HSE's first COSHH guidance for engineered stone makes water suppression a requirement. Anyone cutting, cleaning or maintaining machinery needs a powered respirator with a protection factor of at least 20.
What to do
Check every stone worker has a PAPR rated APF 20 or higher, and on-tool water.
Source: HSE COSHH guidance on engineered stone, May 2026
Change 04 of 07
Asbestos: Great Britain holds its line
The EU has lowered its limit. HSE reviewed the evidence and kept ours. The duty to keep exposure as low as reasonably practicable still applies.
What to do
Do not assume EU limits apply in GB. Keep RPE matched to the task and face fit tested.
Source: HSE asbestos control limit review, 18 May 2026
Change 05 of 07
RIDDOR is set to more than triple
HSE consulted on raising the reportable occupational diseases from 6 to 19, and on widening who can diagnose them. Law changes are unlikely before 2028.
What to do
Review how you record work-related ill health now, before reporting widens.
Source: HSE RIDDOR consultation, closed 30 June 2026
Change 06 of 07
Harassment by customers is now your problem too
Employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, and must not permit it by third parties such as customers. From 1 October, people have twice as long to bring most claims.
What to do
Assess the risk for customer-facing roles, train managers and record what you did.
Source: Employment Rights Act 2025, measures from 1 and 30 October 2026
Change 07 of 07
Martyn's Law is next
Security duties for public premises and events take effect in spring 2027, with fines up to the higher of £18m or 5% of turnover. New construction products rules are due by the end of 2026.
What to do
Venues and events: name a security lead and start the risk assessment now.
Source: Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025; Construction Products Reform
Still catching people out
Ill-fitting PPE is not just uncomfortable. It is unsafe.
BS 30417 sets out how to provide PPE that fits every body: gender, shape, age and disability.
What to do
Ask your wearers whether their PPE fits. Then act on the answers.
Source: BSI, BS 30417 inclusive PPE guide, 2025
Which of the seven affects your site most?
Tell us, and we will show you what we do about it. Or send this to whoever owns PPE in your business.
This briefing summarises public sources as at November 2026. It is not legal advice.