The death toll of construction workers has risen, according to new figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The latest annual figures show 51 construction workers died from site injuries in the year to 31 March 2024, confirming findings from earlier this year.

The total was more than double that of any other industry, with 23 deaths recorded in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Construction fatalities accounted for more than a third of the UK total for all sectors (138).

Construction was the second most dangerous industry as measured by fatal injury rate per 100,000 workers, with 2.43 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers, up from 2.1 in 2022/23. But it was lower than the agriculture, forestry and fisheries figure of 7.51.

The latest HSE data also included three-year average figures for health problems related to construction work. The health and safety regulator found that around 78,000 workers were affected from 2021/22 to 2023/24, with 52% of them suffering from musculoskeletal disorders.

This equates to 2% of the UK construction workforce, the HSE said, which is a “significantly higher” rate than for workers across all industries.

Self-reported stress and mental health problems averaged 14,000 workers between 2021/22 and 2023/24. This equates to 0.7% of the construction workforce, the HSE said, which is “statistically significantly lower than that for workers in all industries (2%)”.

He added that the rate for the latest period, which included years affected by Covid, “was not statistically significantly different” from the three years before the pandemic.

Among the construction worker deaths in 2023/24 was 26-year-old Michael Jones, who died in August 2023 while working on Laing O’Rourke’s project at the new Everton FC stadium. He died after him he was caught between the scissor ladder he was operating and a beam.

Charlie Harper, a 71-year-old driller, died in April 2023 while working on an HS2 construction site in Solihulloperated by Balfour Beatty Vinci JV. He died a day after being hit by the end of an unsecured pipe.

Earlier this year, a medical examiner issued a safety warning after an investigation into Harper’s death, warning that failure to secure the spiral tube contributed to his death.

The most common cause of work-related death across all sectors was falls from height, accounting for 50 of the 138 deaths in 2023/24. This was twice the second most common cause, being struck by a moving vehicle.

HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon said the UK was one of the safest countries in the world to work in, but that “these statistics serve as a reminder that there is still room for further improvement”.

“We remain committed to ensuring people stay safe and healthy wherever we work,” she added.

Earlier this month, The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has called on the sector to use data more widely to lead better health and safety outcomes.