Confined Space Accident Statistics UK: Deaths and Case Studies
Online CPD Academy
https://onlinecpdacademy.co.uk/blog/confined-space-accident-statistics-uk

An HSE leaflet first published in 1997 estimated that confined-space work killed 15 people a year in the UK. Its current replacement gives no annual total. Documented incidents show how oxygen loss, harmful gases and attempted rescues can turn a single emergency into several casualties.

STATISTICS

Deaths in the Suntis cargo-hold access compartment: 3
26 May 2014 | Goole Docks, England
German-registered vessel

Deaths during Greenfeeds tanker cleaning: 2
December 2016 | England
one worker died attempting rescue

Deaths on a Scottish Sea Farms barge: 2
11 May 2009 | Loch Creran, Scotland
both fatalities were attempted rescuers

Death in a refrigerated seawater tank on Sunbeam: 1
14 August 2018 | Fraserburgh, Scotland
refrigerant displaced the air

Employee with a traumatic brain injury after entering a manhole: 1
1 February 2022 | Kettering, England
Serious non-fatal injury

COVERAGE
The table covers selected documented UK incidents. The historical annual estimate is explained below.

USING THESE STATISTICS
Please credit Online CPD Academy and link to https://onlinecpdacademy.co.uk/blog/confined-space-accident-statistics-uk when using these statistics. Retain each figure’s reporting period and coverage.

SOURCES
1. HSE — Index of data tables: RIDDOR accident-kind and injury tables
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/tables/index.htm

2. HSE — Confined spaces: a brief guide to working safely (INDG258 rev1)
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg258.pdf

3. HSE — Safe work in confined spaces (L101), Approved Code of Practice and guidance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l101.pdf

4. HSE — Introduction to working in confined spaces
https://www.hse.gov.uk/confinedspace/introduction.htm

5. HSE — Safe work in confined spaces, INDG258, original edition (preserved copy)
https://onsafelines.com/qhse.support/public-documents/industry-guidance/indg258_v0.pdf

6. MAIB — Suntis, Safety Bulletin 3/2014
https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/safety-warning-issued-after-entry-to-confined-space-on-general-cargo-vessel-suntis-results-in-loss-of-3-lives

7. HSE — Board meeting, Chief Executive report: Greenfeeds prosecution
https://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/assets/docs/board-meeting-280622.pdf

8. Scottish Sentencing Council — Scottish Sea Farms Ltd v HM Advocate
https://www.scottishsentencingcouncil.org.uk/publications/guideline-judgments/other-useful-judgments/scottish-sea-farms-ltd-v-hm-advocate

9. MAIB — Sunbeam, investigation report 19/2020
https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/entry-to-enclosed-space-on-fishing-vessel-sunbeam-with-loss-of-1-life

10. HSE — NHS trust fined after employee found unconscious in manhole
https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/01/09/nhs-trust-fined-after-employee-found-unconscious-in-manhole/

11. MAIB — Suntis Safety Bulletin 3/2014: oxygen measurements
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/547c6f0ced915d4c0d000005/Safety_Bulletin3_2014.pdf