HS2 records more than 2,300 near misses in four years

HS2 has recorded more than 2,300 near-miss incidents in the past four calendar years, Construction News can reveal.

A serious near miss last September saw a beam strike a crane basket with two workers inside, as a gantry crane was being disassembled at the Green Park Way vent shaft in west London.

The incident led days later to all Skanska Costain Strabag joint venture works stopping in the capital, pending a “comprehensive review of safety procedures”.

Now, data provided to CN under the Freedom of Information Act shows the incident was one of 543 recorded by HS2 as a near miss in 2025, down from 581 in 2024.

The recorded number of near-miss incidents peaked at 652 in 2023, which was up from 555 in 2022.

There were 145 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) incidents recorded in the four years, and 387 lost-time incidents.

CN revealed earlier this year that HS2 bosses raised concerns over contractors’ health and safety performance more than once in the months before the pause on tunnelling works in London.

In February, project bosses said five RIDDOR incidents meant there was a need to “improve interventions to reinforce safety standards with the JVs”.

In June, the board heard of a “consistent number” of lost-time incidents occurring and that “interventions were now being considered by management”.

The new data shows 92 lost-time incidents in 2025 and 35 recorded RIDDORs, both slightly down on the prior year’s totals of 102 and 38 respectively.

An HS2 spokeswoman said this week that the project would soon publish an updated health and safety strategy setting out how it would strengthen its performance.

“This includes details on how we are working with our supply chain partners to set clear, non-negotiable standards, acting upon data and insight to improve performance, identifying risks early, and intervening decisively when needed,” she said.

The spokeswoman added: “The safety of people on our work sites is our number one priority. HS2’s health and safety performance is industry-leading, but we continuously strive to strengthen our procedures.”

She said the project’s zero-tolerance approach to incidents was demonstrated when it intervened to pause London tunnelling work last year to “investigate, learn and improve procedures”.

Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, said near-miss reporting is an important part of a mature safety culture, with a high number often reflecting the confidence of those within an organisation to speak up and be supported.

“What truly matters is how organisations use this information: identifying root causes, analysing trends, sharing the learning, and putting meaningful actions in place.

“Major infrastructure projects are fast paced, complex and demanding, so education and awareness on health and safety and a positive culture is imperative. Early warning signs are particularly important. Behind every statistic is a worker who could be at risk tomorrow if nothing changes today.”

She added: “By taking near‑miss data seriously – reporting it, investigating it, learning from it and acting on it – organisations demonstrate a commitment to protecting every person on site. 

“It is this commitment, day after day, that builds trust and helps to ensure everyone goes home safe and healthy.”