NASC Safety Report 2026 shows historically low accident rates even as membership surges, while wider construction industry records 35 fatal falls from height

National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) members recorded zero operative fatalities in 2025, according to the 2026 NASC Safety Report, which also shows accident rates remain among the lowest in its recorded history.

The Safety Report is based on RIDDOR data submitted by all NASC contractor members and shows 82 recorded reportable accidents across a combined workforce that has hit new records in 2025. Indeed the statistics suggest that among NASC members there was 1 RIDDOR for every 470,000 hours worked by operatives.

The Accident Incident Rate (AIR) of 4.07 and Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) of 0.21 compare favourably with the 10-year averages of 5.2 and 0.26 respectively and stand in stark contrast to both historic scaffolding industry figures and the wider construction sector.

The scale of progress is brought into sharp focus by comparison with the industry's own past. In the 1980s, scaffolding-related fatalities were recorded at a rate of almost one per week. Today, with NASC member companies employing more operatives than at any point in NASC history, the data shows a major reduction in RIDDORS caused by falls from height.

That progress comes against a sobering backdrop. According to data from the No Falls Foundation and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), falls from height in Great Britain in 2025 recorded 35 lives lost across the construction industry, accounting for 28% of all workplace fatalities nationwide.

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Construction recorded the highest number of fatal injuries of any industry sector in 2025. NASC's figures suggest that member companies operating within a rigorously audited framework and supported by sector-specific guidance may be helping to reduce risk.

Mark Collinson, Head of Technical at NASC, said: "Recording zero operative fatalities among NASC contractor members in 2025 is a significant and encouraging outcome, especially as our contractor member workforce has grown to record levels.

"These results reflect NASC members' commitment to recognised best-practice guidance, investment in competence and high standards on site. But safety is never something we can take for granted. Every RIDDOR affects a person, a family and a workforce. The report gives us useful insight, but what matters most is how we act on it: identifying trends, improving guidance, sharing learning and supporting members to keep improving."

The report highlights that membership of NASC grew by 11% in 2025 with the total operative workforce hitting levels that NASC describes as "reflecting growing industry confidence in the value of NASC standards." All contractor members are independently audited against stringent compliance criteria, making NASC the only UK scaffolding trade body to operate in this way.

Clive Dickin, Group CEO for NASC and CISRS, said: "The progress shown in this report is the result of decades of effort by NASC members, committees, clients, training partners and the wider industry. It demonstrates what can be achieved when high standards are placed at the centre of scaffolding operations.

"There is no room for complacency. Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities in our country, and the sector must keep raising standards. NASC will continue to lead by refining guidance, strengthening standards and listening to members about the challenges they face on site every day."

The NASC Safety Report 2026 is published to coincide with NASC Safety Day, an annual event bringing together member companies, safety professionals and industry experts for a day of live demonstrations, talks and collaborative discussion.

This year's Safety Day is an opportunity not only to share and reinforce best practice, but to hear directly from the membership their experiences on site, the challenges they face, and their ideas for how safety standards can be improved further. The feedback gathered will directly inform the development of NASC's next generation of safety guidance, as NASC continues its work to translate data into practical tools that make a real difference on site.