Workplace safety is not gender-neutral. In the UK, men still account for the overwhelming majority of fatal workplace injuries, while women are under-represented in the industries and decision-making roles that shape safety rules. For women running businesses in construction, warehousing, manufacturing, or any sector with physical risk, gender inequality in workplace safety is not an abstract issue. It affects recruitment, procurement, compliance, and whether the protective equipment your staff wear actually protects them.
According to HSE data for 2023/24, 138 workers were killed in workplace accidents across Great Britain, and 96% of those fatalities were men. The same year, ONS data reported that women made up just 16.5% of the UK construction workforce. These two figures are connected: when safety standards, equipment, and site culture are designed by and for men, women are more likely to be overlooked. For more context on women in the UK business landscape, see our Women in Business: Key UK Facts page.
Where the gender gap shows up in UK safety data
Fatal injuries and serious accidents
The HSE’s fatal injuries statistics for 2023/24 show that 133 of the 138 workers killed were men. The highest-risk sectors remain construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing, and manufacturing. While these industries employ fewer women overall, the disparity also reflects the fact that women who do enter these fields often work in environments where personal protective equipment, training, and reporting systems were not designed with them in mind.
Women in construction and skilled trades
ONS data from 2024 puts women at 16.5% of the UK construction workforce. Among site-based roles and senior leadership, the figure is lower still. The industry faces a significant skills shortage, yet women remain under-recruited into safety-critical trades. Our article on why the UK urgently needs more women in skilled trades explores the barriers in more detail.
PPE that does not fit
One of the most concrete examples of gender-blind safety provision is PPE. A 2021 TUC survey found that 95% of women said the PPE they were given at work did not fit properly. Ill-fitting boots, harnesses, gloves, and hi-vis clothing are not just uncomfortable; they increase the risk of trips, falls, entanglement, and exposure to hazards. For women-led businesses in trades or warehousing, this is a procurement and compliance issue as much as an equality one.
Why gender inequality in workplace safety matters for women business owners
If you employ people, you are responsible for their safety under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. That duty includes providing suitable PPE, risk assessments, and training. A one-size-fits-all approach often means one-size-fits-men. Women founders in male-dominated sectors can face additional pressure to fit into existing site cultures rather than challenge them.
There is also a business case. Diverse teams make better safety decisions. The HSE has acknowledged that women are under-represented in health and safety decision-making, and that female-specific health and safety issues are often marginalised. When women are involved in designing safety processes, hazards that affect women specifically, such as those linked to pregnancy, menopause, or ill-fitting equipment, are more likely to be identified and controlled.
Practical steps for women-led businesses
- Audit your PPE procurement. Check whether the PPE you buy is available in a range of sizes and cuts designed for women. Ask suppliers for women’s-fit options and keep records of fit tests.
- Involve women in risk assessments. If you have women on site or in operational roles, include them in risk assessments and safety committees. Do not rely on all-male teams to identify hazards that disproportionately affect women.
- Review your reporting culture. Make it easy for staff to report near-misses, PPE problems, and health concerns without fear of being labelled difficult. Anonymous reporting can help.
- Check your legal duties on pregnancy and menopause. Employers must carry out pregnancy risk assessments, and Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance makes clear that menopause symptoms can amount to a disability under the Equality Act 2010. Our guide on menopause policies for small businesses explains how to put this into practice.
- Keep your first-aid and welfare provision up to date. The number of first aiders you need depends on your workforce and risk level. Our 2026 guide to first aiders in the workplace sets out the current HSE requirements.
What the regulators and industry bodies are doing
The Health and Safety Executive publishes annual fatal injury statistics and has taken steps to improve diversity within its own leadership. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health runs a Women in Health and Safety network that provides mentoring, events, and advocacy. The British Safety Council also campaigns on diversity in safety roles.
However, progress is slow. The HSE’s own gender pay gap reporting shows that the organisation, like much of the public sector, still has work to do on representation at senior levels. For the wider industry, closing the gap will require more than board appointments; it needs changes to recruitment, procurement standards, site culture, and the design of safety equipment itself.
Conclusion: make safety inclusive by design
Gender inequality in workplace safety is not just a problem for large construction firms or regulators. For women-led businesses in any physical sector, it is a practical compliance and competitiveness issue. The data is clear: men still bear the brunt of fatal injuries, but women face a different set of risks when safety systems ignore their needs.
Start with a simple audit. Look at your PPE, your risk assessments, and who has a seat at the table when safety decisions are made. Small changes to procurement and consultation can reduce injuries, improve retention, and help you meet your legal duties under UK health and safety law.
Action steps:
- Review your current PPE against HSE guidance on suitability and fit.
- Include women in your next risk assessment or safety committee meeting.
- Read our 2026 diversity and inclusion guide for small businesses to build a safer, more inclusive workplace.
