Birmingham has recorded the highest number of non-fatal workplace injuries in the UK, according to newly analysed data, prompting renewed calls for region-specific safety strategies and investment in accident prevention.
A total of 1,010 incidents were reported in Birmingham, placing the West Midlands city at the top of the UK’s workplace accident rankings. The figure was significantly higher than in any other local authority, and is likely driven by Birmingham’s position as a major industrial and manufacturing hub.
The analysis, by process safety consultancy Sigma HSE, examined Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data from all UK local authorities to identify areas with the most and fewest workplace accidents.
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, ranked second with 807 reported incidents, followed by Leeds with 772. In each case, researchers noted that local industry types played a key role in injury rates. Glasgow’s figures were linked to sectors such as hospitality and engineering, while Leeds, home to a large wholesale and motor trade presence, recorded a high number of accidents related to tool use and transport handling.
Regional Trends and Sector Risks
While larger cities dominate the top half of the list, the study found that population size did not always correspond with injury numbers. Westminster, for example, recorded 713 non-fatal workplace accidents — despite a population five times smaller than Birmingham — giving it one of the highest rates of injury per capita. Major employers in Westminster include the finance, public and office-based sectors, where injuries typically result from falls, workstation hazards or minor equipment mishandling.
Other cities in the top 10 include Manchester (583), Liverpool (562), Cornwall (561), Edinburgh (549), West Northamptonshire (547) and County Durham (533). Agricultural and manual labour sectors contribute heavily to the risk in rural areas such as Cornwall and County Durham.
Dr Dina Deifalla, operations manager at Sigma HSE, said the findings revealed how much workplace accident risk could vary across industries and geographies. She said the figures “show stark contrasts across different regions of the UK”, adding that “population size doesn’t always directly correlate with accident rates. For example, Westminster has a much smaller population than Birmingham but records a very high number of workplace injuries, likely due to its high concentration of workplaces compared to residents.”
She also noted that the safest areas tended to have different types of employment. “The fact that London boroughs dominate the list of areas with the lowest accident numbers suggests that differences in industries, enforcement activities or safety culture have the largest impact.”
Safest Regions and Local Variation
At the other end of the table, Harrow reported the fewest workplace accidents in the UK, with just 81 incidents. Merton (92), Sutton (118), Redbridge (119) and Barking and Dagenham (138) also featured among the five safest areas. All are London boroughs, and many have employment profiles centred around retail, education and the public sector — areas generally associated with lower accident risk compared to construction, manufacturing or agriculture.
The rate of injury per 100,000 employees further highlights these differences. In West Northamptonshire, which ranked ninth for the total number of incidents, the injury rate stood at 316 per 100,000 workers. In Harrow, the lowest-ranking borough, the rate was just 105.
Experts say employers should use this data not just as a point of comparison, but as a tool for targeted improvement. “Businesses should use this data to benchmark their safety performance against regional averages,” said Dr Deifalla. “Where companies operate across multiple locations, understanding these regional variations can help target resources to areas of greatest need.”
What Employers Can Do to Improve Safety
While regional infrastructure and sector makeup influence risk, experts agree that the most effective way to reduce workplace accidents is through proactive and consistent employer action. Several evidence-based strategies can help.
- Conduct location-specific risk assessments
Organisations with sites in high-risk areas should revisit their health and safety audits, ensuring they reflect local conditions, tasks and workforce characteristics. Risk assessments must be updated regularly and adapted for seasonal or site-specific changes. - Focus on high-risk roles
In sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and construction, most injuries occur in operational roles. Employers can mitigate these risks through targeted training, appropriate personal protective equipment and reinforcement of standard operating procedures. - Improve safety culture through leadership
A visible commitment to safety from management can influence frontline behaviour. Leaders who take safety seriously — by attending briefings, investigating incidents and rewarding compliance — set a tone that filters through the organisation. - Train line managers and supervisors
Middle management plays a pivotal role in preventing accidents. Training supervisors to recognise hazards, model safe behaviour and manage incident reporting can increase early intervention and reduce repeat incidents. - Use data to inform strategy
Accident logs, near-miss reports and health surveillance data can uncover patterns and blind spots. Employers can compare internal figures against public data such as HSE regional breakdowns or findings like those from the analysis to focus improvement efforts. - Engage staff in safety planning
Involving workers in hazard identification and mitigation increases compliance and uncovers risks managers may overlook. This could include safety committees, anonymous reporting tools or regular toolbox talks. - Ensure mental wellbeing is included
Physical safety must be paired with psychological wellbeing. Overwork, fatigue and stress are known contributors to accidents. Providing adequate rest breaks, workload management and mental health resources forms part of a holistic safety approach.