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West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service reports six percent increase in workplace accidents
Overview
A report discussed by the West Yorkshire Fire Authority reveals that workplace accidents at the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service rose by six percent to 128 incidents between April 2025 and March 2026. The accidents cost the service over £160,000 and resulted in 588 lost working days, though officials noted a significant long-term improvement compared to 300 accidents recorded in 2005/06.
Key points
- West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service recorded 128 workplace accidents between April 2025 and March 2026, marking a 6% increase from the previous year.
- Incidents cost the service £160,281 in total, with £87,192 attributed to legal claims from injured parties.
- The accidents resulted in a loss of 588 days of work over the one-year period.
- Reported incidents included firefighters tripping on uneven terrain during moorland blazes and suffering skin irritation from inspecting a fire blanket.
- Changes to equipment stowage in new-style fire engines successfully reduced falling-equipment accidents from a previous issue down to just one in 2025/26.