Author : Mike Manning 16th July 2025

With the release of the 2025 work-related fatal injury figures this week, it's becoming increasingly clear that a troubling trend is being overlooked. While much attention is rightly placed on younger workers, who benefit from modern safety practices, the reality paints a stark contrast:

The majority of fatal injuries are actually occurring among older workers.

The Health & Safety Executive's latest report reveals a startling statistic: despite comprising only 12% of the workforce, workers aged 60 and above accounted for approximately 40% of fatal injuries in 2024/25. This demographic disparity underscores a critical issue that demands our immediate attention.

Fig 1: Fatal Injury Rate per 100,000 Workers by Age Group (Average 2020/21–2024/25)

Expanding our analysis further, the data shows a significant disparity in fatal injury rates between younger workers (aged 16-54) and their older counterparts (aged 55-65+). The rates spike dramatically within the older age group, highlighting a pressing need for targeted interventions and support.

Behind these figures lie real lives lost. In 2023/24 alone, 66 workers aged 55-65+ tragically lost their lives compared to 68 younger workers aged 16-54, despite the latter group spanning a much larger age range.

Fig 2: Number of fatal injuries by age group, 2024/25

What drives this disparity among our more experienced workforce?

It's not a matter of unwillingness to adapt or learn new practices.

From my two decades in the training industry, I've observed a shared commitment among workers of all ages to return home safely. The challenge lies in reconciling decades of experience with evolving safety standards.

The health and safety revolution, initiated over 50 years ago, continues to reshape our workplaces. While younger workers have embraced these changes, our older colleagues often lack the necessary training and support to navigate this new landscape effectively.

The positive takeaway from these reports is clear: younger generations are leading the charge in workplace safety advocacy. They set a standard that we must strive to meet for all workers, regardless of age or experience. It's imperative that we equip our older workforce with the tools and knowledge they need to work safely under these new paradigms.

Let's honour the contributions of our more experienced workers by ensuring they receive the support and training necessary to thrive in today's safety-conscious environment. Together, we can bridge this generational gap in safety and ensure that every worker returns home safely, every day.

Who’s Managing Your FLAME?

Whenever I run a health & safety training session, I always start with the same question:

“Why is health & safety important?”

The answers are often textbook:

• “To keep people safe.”

• “To prevent injury.”

• “So people go home healthy.”

All valid. But if we are honest, often those answers are given because people think that’s what I want to hear.

That’s when I flip the conversation:

• “Why does that matter to your employer?”

• “Why should you care what happens to someone you barely know?”

• “Isn’t everyone replaceable at work?”

Suddenly, the room quiets. And then the more considered (and sometimes cynical) answers begin to surface:

• “To protect ourselves.”

• “To avoid getting sued.”

• “To stay out of prison.”

• “To keep the business going.”         

Now we're getting somewhere ! 

So let's talk about what FLAME is:

The F in FLAME: Financial

Let’s be honest.

We work to provide for our families and to live full and healthy lives outside the workplace. None of us want to sacrifice our long-term health for short-term earnings. No one’s being paid that much.

Good, practise in health & safety training and compliance helps ensure that we retire well and are able to enjoy the years we’ve worked so hard for.

As I like to say: if the lottery numbers came up tomorrow then my wife Gail and I would be touring Europe in our campervan faster than you can say arrivederci but they haven't so until we retire it's back to work !! 😊

The L in FLAME: Legal

Health & safety isn’t optional. It’s a legal requirement. We’re protecting ourselves our colleugues and our organisations from prosecution, fines, and worse. The law is clear, and the risks of non-compliance are very real.

But, we have to remember that legal compliance alone isn’t enough.

The M in FLAME: Moral

Let’s go deeper.

Why do you care if someone else goes home safe tonight?

That pause, that moment of uncertainty often reveals something important. Because the truth is, most of us do care. We have a moral compass. We believe in doing the right thing, not just because it’s the law, but because it’s human.

I try to remind people that even with the best systems, attitudes and intent in place, accidents may still happen. But here’s the real question:

On that day, will you be able to say, “It wasn’t my fault — I did everything I could”?

Or will guilt and regret linger because of an act or omission?

Our moral responsibility goes hand in hand with our duty of care

Flame Management :

FLAME stands for:

• Financial

• Legal

• And

• Moral

• Expectations

Ask yourself:

• What are your expectations in each of these areas?

• Who’s managing them — for you, your team, your business?

• And more importantly... are they being met?

Health & safety really isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about protecting what really matters: your freedom, your integrity, and your future.

So... who’s managing your FLAME?

For more information about your legal obligations or to book an appointment with us to discuss your health and safety needs, please feel free to contact us or message me.

Mike Manning 25/07/2025