What Is the Biggest Cause of Workplace Injury? And How SMEs Can Stay Ahead of Claims

A Strange Paradox in Workplace Injuries

Workplace accidents in Britain have been steadily falling for over a decade. Safety equipment is better, awareness is higher, and training is more widespread. However, despite these improvements, identifying and addressing the biggest cause of workplace injury remains a priority.

So, why then does AXA’s Compensation Culture: Workplace Injury report reveal that workplace claims are rising?

Ultimately, it’s a paradox that leaves many SMEs scratching their heads: fewer incidents, but more claims. 

What Is the Biggest Cause of Workplace Injury? 

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the leading cause of non-fatal workplace injury in the UK is slips, trips, and falls, which accounted for about 31% of all employee injuries in 2023/24 (HSE, 2024) (Figure 1). 

In addition to slips and trips, other common causes include:

• Falls from height. 

• Impact injuries from vehicles or equipment. 

• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). 

• Vibration-related injuries. 

Therefore, even in safer workplaces, seemingly “minor” risks can result in the majority of claims.

Figure 1: Non-fatal injuries to employees by most common accident kinds 

Source: HSE, Workplace injury statistics, 2023/24 

What AXA Discovered

• AXA surveyed 200 UK SMEs and uncovered some eye-opening insights: 

• 1 in 4 SMEs (24%) had an employee or ex-employee make a workplace injury claim in the past five years. 

• 84% of employers believe the UK has a “compensation culture,” and 74% believe it already exists in their workplaces. 

• Employers’ Liability insurers are paying out £2.7 million every day in claims. 

• The total cost of workplace injuries and illnesses to society was estimated at £13.8 billion in a single year. 

• So, while the HSE shows fewer reported accidents, the reality for SMEs is that claims are not going away. In fact, they’re becoming harder to avoid. 

Consequently, while the HSE shows fewer reported accidents, the reality for SMEs is that claims are not going away. In fact, they’re becoming harder to avoid.

Which Industries Are Most at Risk? 

Not all businesses are equally exposed. AXA’s research found that construction and property firms are three times more likely to face claims than retail businesses. 

This is largely because of the nature of the risks: heavy machinery, working at height, noise exposure, and physically demanding tasks. These environments are also where the biggest cause of workplace injury – slips, trips and falls – is more likely to happen, alongside other serious hazards.
 

The hearing loss issue is especially striking. In 2013, AXA reported that 59% of its Employers’ Liability claims were for workplace hearing loss, and the number of claims had doubled compared to the year before. 
 

Nevertheless, only 6% of SMEs even considered hearing loss a future risk. As a result, the gap between real risks and perceived risks is where businesses often get caught off guard.

The Bigger Picture: Culture vs. Compliance 

The rise in claims isn’t just about hazards, but also about workplace culture. 

AXA found that many SMEs feel trapped by a growing “compensation culture.” Claims Management Companies (CMCs) have been singled out as a driver, with 64% of SMEs blaming them for fuelling the rise in claims. 

Fraudulent or exaggerated claims are another concern. AXA’s study estimates they cost insurers up to £1 billion per year. 

For SMEs, this means one thing: even if you run a safe site, you may still face a claim. Moreover, without the right compliance evidence, defending yourself can feel impossible. 

How SMEs Can Stay Ahead 

The most effective way to reduce accidents and the claims that follow is to build a culture of prevention. SMEs can strengthen their approach by focusing on:

• Providing timely and relevant training so employees know how to work safely
• Running regular toolbox talks to keep safety top of mind on site
• Offering accessible refresher learning to reinforce critical procedures
• Tracking compliance activities to identify gaps early and address them quickly
• Creating open communication so staff feel confident raising safety concerns

Managing all of this consistently can be challenging, especially when records are scattered across spreadsheets, paper files, or emails. That’s where software makes a difference. Moralbox brings these activities together in one place with an automated training matrix, toolbox talk scheduling and logging, and flexible e-learning modules making it simpler for SMEs to stay compliant, prevent accidents, and be audit-ready at all times.

Figure 2: Compliance Domino Effect

Mandatory Training in the UK 

It’s not just good practice; some training is a legal requirement in the UK. 

According to HSE and industry guidance: 

• Health and Safety induction training is required for all employees. 

• Fire Safety awareness, Manual Handling, and First Aid training are mandatory in most workplaces. 

• In higher-risk sectors like construction, employers must also ensure training in Working at Height and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations (Praxis42, 2023; WorkSafe UK, 2023). 

This training must not only be delivered but also properly recorded and evidenced. That’s where Moralbox helps to ensure SMEs can prove compliance instantly. 

Conclusion: Prevention Is Cheaper (and Better!) Than Payouts 

AXA’s findings make one thing clear: falling accidents don’t mean falling claims. The risks for SMEs, especially in construction and logistics, are bigger than they first appear. 

You can’t control every employee or every incident. But you can control your compliance. 

And when claims rise (even as injuries fall), compliance is your strongest defence. 

That’s why Moralbox exists: to make compliance simple, affordable, and powerful for SMEs. 

Because the only thing more expensive than compliance… is the cost of getting it wrong. 

FAQs 

What is the biggest cause of workplace injury in the UK? 
The leading cause is slips, trips, and falls, which accounted for about 31% of employee injuries in 2023/24 (HSE, 2024). 
 

How can SMEs reduce workplace injury claims? 
By investing in compliance training, holding toolbox talks, and using tools like Moralbox to centralise records and prove compliance. 
 

Is compliance training mandatory in the UK? 
Yes. Examples include Health and Safety induction, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, and First Aid. In higher-risk industries, Working at Height and COSHH training are also mandatory (Praxis42, 2023; WorkSafe UK, 2023). 

References 

• AXA UK (2014). Compensation Culture: Workplace Injury. 

• Health and Safety Executive (2024). Workplace injury statistics in Great Britain. HSE Statistics 

• Praxis42 (2023). What Health and Safety Training Is Mandatory in the UK? Praxis42 

• WorkSafe UK (2023). The Complete Guide to Health and Safety Legislation. WorkSafe