HSE’s RIDDOR Data Set – Contact with Electricity 2025 (Update)
This information is available to download from within the current HSE RIDDOR Data set covering 2014 to 2025, (Or by clicking on the title link above) and includes all:
- Fatal
- Non-fatal
- Dangerous Occurrences
These statistics relate to workplace incidents only, employees, & sub contractors
The do not include incidents involving
- Members of the public.
- Overhead or underground cable strikes
RIDDOR Definitions:
Fatal incident
- All work-related deaths of employees and self-employed operatives
Non-fatal incident
- Pre-defined injuries (10% Burns, loss of sight plus 6 other categories)
- Over 7 days lost time injuries
Dangerous Occurrence
Any explosion or fire caused by an electrical short circuit or overload (including those resulting from accidental damage to the electrical plant) which either:
- Results in the stoppage of the plant involved for more than 24 hours
- Or causes a significant risk of death
HSE Statistics
- Over 11 years very little improvement overall!
- On average, around 400 incidents a year (reported)!
- 59 Fatal Incidents over the period!
- 2239 lost time Incidents resulting in 7 days or more away from the workplace!
- Alarming Increase from 2020!
Sectors
Possibly more concerning are the sectors where there are a significant number of incidents. Four sectors make up 60% of all Fatal and non-fatal incidents across the nine years. These being:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale & Retail Trade
- Accommodation & food services
Most Common forms of contact with Electricity according to the HSE:
- Unsafe Systems of Work / Unsafe Rules
- Inadequate information / No Training
- Person not competent
- Inadequate Isolation
- Poor Control of Work Activities / Failure to manage work
- Live Working / Uninsulated electrical wiring
- Unsuitable test equipment
