Quick summary: A major safety survey has revealed that 50% of UK employees routinely skip essential health and safety training due to intense workplace time pressures, while 31% report that their employer training budgets are completely insufficient for their operational risk level. Industry experts warn that treating life-saving knowledge as an optional extra contributes directly to high accident rates and accounted for a substantial portion of the 33.7 million working days lost to employment-related illness and injury over a single annual period. Addressing these systemic training shortfalls through robust public policy enforcement and improved occupational healthcare practice is critical to preventing workplace fatalities, reducing severe psychological trauma for families, and safeguarding employee well-being.
Half of UK employees say essential health and safety training is routinely skipped due to time pressures, according to new research that raises fresh concerns about workplace culture and investment levels in high-risk sectors.
Data from Astutis, which surveyed 920 workers, found that 1 in 10 employees funded their own health and safety training out of their own pockets. Nearly a 3rd (31%) said their employer’s training budget was insufficient for their role or risk level.
One of the report’s most striking findings was that more than half (51%) of employees attributed a safer workplace to colleague behaviour rather than rules or lack of knowledge. Experts say this points to the need for cultural change, with attitudes and daily practices needing to support safety alongside regulatory requirements.
Steve Terry, Managing Director of Astutis, said: “When workers are reaching into their wallets for absolutely critical training, it is a wake-up call. We are not just talking about professional development, but we are talking about life-saving knowledge being treated as an option rather than an absolute necessity.”
“In fast-paced sectors, safety generally gets squeezed and is considered something to just do when you have got the time on your hands. However, to businesses, the cost of an accident, injury, or regulatory fine, as well as the sadness and psychological side effects, far outweighs the time it takes to train a team. Putting in an extra few hours of training with someone could potentially save their life at work.”
Government figures for the period April 2024 – March 2025 recorded 124 workplace deaths. Construction accounted for 35 fatalities, making it the most affected industry, followed by agriculture, forestry, and fishing with 23. Falls from height were the most common cause of fatal injury, with 35 deaths recorded. A total of 33.7 million working days were lost over the same period due to work-related illness and injury.
Business leaders are being urged to review training budgets and schedules, with experts warning that treating health and safety as an optional extra risks injuries, fatalities, and significant financial costs from absences and incidents. The report also highlighted the psychological impact on colleagues and families following workplace accidents as a further argument for stronger prevention through training.
The full findings are available in the Astutis Learners Report 2025.