Figure 1: Non-fatal injuries to employees by the most common accident kinds
Source: HSE, Workplace injury statistics, 2023/24
What AXA Discovered
- AXA surveyed 200 UK SMEs and uncovered some eye-opening insights:
- 1 in 4 SMEs (24%) had an employee or ex-employee make a workplace injury claim in the past five years.
- 84% of employers believe the UK has a “compensation culture,” and 74% believe it already exists in their workplaces.
- Employers’ Liability insurers are paying out £2.7 million every day in claims.
- The total cost of workplace injuries and illnesses to society was estimated at £13.8 billion in a single year.
- So, while the HSE shows fewer reported accidents, the reality for SMEs is that claims are not going away. In fact, they’re becoming harder to avoid.
Consequently, while the HSE shows fewer reported accidents, the reality for SMEs is that claims are not going away. In fact, they’re becoming harder to avoid.
Which Industries Are Most at Risk of Workplace Injuries?
Not all businesses are equally exposed. AXA’s research found that construction and property firms are three times more likely to face claims than retail businesses.
This is largely because of the nature of the risks: heavy machinery, working at height, noise exposure, and physically demanding tasks. These environments are also where the biggest cause of workplace injury – slips, trips and falls – is more likely to happen, alongside other serious hazards.
The hearing loss issue is especially striking. In 2013, AXA reported that 59% of its Employers’ Liability claims were for workplace hearing loss, and the number of claims had doubled compared to the year before.
Nevertheless, only 6% of SMEs even considered hearing loss a future risk. As a result, the gap between real risks and perceived risks is where businesses often get caught off guard.
The Bigger Picture: Culture vs. Compliance
The rise in claims isn’t just about hazards, but also about workplace culture.
AXA found that many SMEs feel trapped by a growing “compensation culture.” Claims Management Companies (CMCs) have been singled out as a driver, with 64% of SMEs blaming them for fuelling the rise in claims.
Fraudulent or exaggerated claims are another concern. AXA’s study estimates they cost insurers up to £1 billion per year.
For SMEs, this means one thing: even if you run a safe site, you may still face a claim. Moreover, without the right compliance evidence, defending yourself can feel impossible.
How SMEs Can Stay Ahead of Workplace Injury
The most effective way to reduce accidents and the claims that follow is to build a culture of prevention. SMEs can strengthen their approach by focusing on:
- Providing timely and relevant training so employees know how to work safely
- Running regular toolbox talks to keep safety top of mind on site
- Offering accessible refresher learning to reinforce critical procedures
- Tracking compliance activities to identify gaps early and address them quickly
- Creating open communication so staff feel confident raising safety concerns
Managing all of this consistently can be challenging, especially when records are scattered across spreadsheets, paper files, or emails. That’s where software makes a difference. Workprove brings these activities together in one place with an automated training matrix, toolbox talk scheduling and logging, and flexible e-learning modules, making it simpler for SMEs to stay compliant, prevent accidents, and be audit-ready at all times.
