Story Highlight
– Retail and construction ranked as UK’s riskiest sectors.
– 75,000 workplace accidents occurred in retail in 2025.
– Mental health prioritized by 57% of surveyed organizations.
– Manual handling injuries also significant concern for businesses.
– Confidence in health and safety processes rated 7.94/10.
Full Story
Retail has been identified as one of the most hazardous sectors for employment in the United Kingdom, according to a comprehensive assessment of workplace safety that evaluates accident rates, regulatory actions, and employee wellness. The analysis, conducted by the health and safety training provider iHasco, has positioned retail alongside construction as the two riskiest industries for 2026, each receiving a rating of 85 out of 90 on the newly developed ‘Risk Index’.
This ranking is based on an in-depth review of the most recent safety data compiled by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and insights gathered from a survey of various UK businesses. The evaluation covers crucial factors such as workplace accident frequencies, counts of fatal incidents, mental health-related absenteeism, and the extent of enforcement actions taken against employers.
Following retail and construction, the manufacturing sector holds the third spot on the index, achieving a score of 81, while the care industry follows closely with a score of 76. In contrast, traditional office roles, often assumed to be safer, occupy a middle-tier position with a score of 57.
The report underscores the high incidence of workplace accidents in the retail sector, where there were 75,000 reported incidents in 2025. Only the health and social care sector had a higher tally, with 79,000 workplace accidents recorded. Comparatively, the construction sector experienced 47,000 accidents, while manufacturing had 51,000.
The findings suggest an unsettling trend: the concentration of workplace hazards is growing in sectors involving direct customer interaction and intense physical labour. Employees in retail frequently engage in tasks that require manual handling, navigate rapid operational environments, and interact with the public, all contributing factors to the heightened risk of injury.
In addition to the physical dangers employees face, the research indicates that mental health is garnering increased attention within the workplace safety discourse. Over half of the organisations surveyed—about 57%—identified the enhancement of mental health support and the management of work-related stress as their primary health and safety objectives for the upcoming year. Following mental health concerns, the second most pressing issue, cited by 31% of respondents, involved manual handling injuries and the overall wellbeing of staff.
Despite these challenges, business leaders displayed significant confidence in their health and safety protocols. Respondents attributed an average rating of 7.94 out of 10 to their organisations’ safety procedures, illustrating a belief in the effectiveness of existing measures.
The results of this index highlight the increasing demands on retail businesses as they strive to optimise operational workflows while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their employees. As stores, warehouses, and fulfilment centres expand their operations to cope with growing workloads, the need to prioritise employee safety alongside efficiency becomes ever more critical.
To provide a clearer understanding of the landscape, the following scores detail the risk levels across various sectors for 2026:
– Construction: 85
– Retail: 85
– Manufacturing: 81
– Care: 76
– Office: 57
– Public Administration and Defence: 53
– Education: 53
– Private Sector: 35
– Accommodation and Food Services: 35
The insights derived from this index provoke crucial considerations for businesses, particularly in retail, where the intertwining of operational efficiency and employee safety appears increasingly precarious. As organisations navigate the complexities of operational demands, maintaining an unwavering commitment to employee wellbeing must remain paramount.
Moreover, experts urge that employers should be proactive in implementing robust mental health policies and training to address these emerging safety priorities. Investing in staff wellbeing not only mitigates risks related to mental health but also fosters a culture of safety that benefits both employees and employers alike.
The intersection of operational efficiency and employee welfare in the retail sector exemplifies a broader challenge facing many industries today. Stakeholders in the sector are called to consider innovative solutions, including upskilling workers, improving safety training, and potentially reassessing work practices to foster safer work environments in alignment with rising industry standards.
With the landscape of workplace safety continually evolving, stakeholders must remain vigilant and responsive to the risks that lie ahead, ensuring that as the demand for retail services grows, so too does the commitment to safeguarding the health of workers.
Our Thoughts
The analysis highlights critical areas for improvement in the retail sector to enhance workplace safety and reduce accident rates. To prevent incidents, businesses should implement comprehensive risk assessments as mandated by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Regular training on manual handling and mental health management should be instituted, aligning with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to address the physical and psychological risks identified.
Furthermore, the reported confidence in health and safety procedures (7.94/10) may indicate a disconnect between perceived safety and actual practices. Organizations should prioritize regular audits and reviews of their safety measures to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
Given the high incidence of accidents (75,000 in 2025), retailers should consider more robust employee engagement in safety culture, emphasizing their role in identifying hazards.
Lastly, with mental health being a growing concern, aligning support programs with the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on workplace stress and mental wellbeing can create a safer work environment, potentially reducing both physical and psychological incidents. By learning from these findings, retail can shift towards a proactive safety culture, preventing future incidents effectively.
