Top 10 most dangerous places to work in Scotland revealed

Argyll & Bute is the most dangerous place to work in Scotland, new data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows.

The shock finding was revealed in two lists published by the HSE ranking fatal and non-fatal workplace injury rates per 100,000 workers across Scotland’s local authority areas.

Argyll & Bute tops both lists, with fatal injury rates nearly four times the national average and non-fatal injury rates more than double the national average. 

Angus and North Ayrshire also placed alarmingly high in both datasets while Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow were found to have comparatively low non-fatal injury rates.

It is thought hazardous jobs like forestry and farming are behind the gulf in accident rates, but experts fear the figures could point to a postcode lottery in rural employers gambling with worker safety.

Gordon Dalyell, Partner at Digby Brown and expert in workplace accident claims, said: “It is simply unacceptable that in 2026 we have people being injured at work or not coming home at all.

“For nearly 100 years there has been health and safety rules to protect workers.

“Yet the HSE data suggests these life-saving measures are not being followed and the locations where the most tragedies happen are a real concern.

“We cannot have employers gambling with workers’ right to safety because no one should have to bleed for a wage.”

Which areas of Scotland have the highest workplace injury rates?

The accident rates for each local authority area in Scotland were published online earlier this summer.

HSE figures show that, for every 100,000 workers, an average of 234 people suffered a non-fatal injury at work.

Sadly, the national fatal injury rate of 0.93 means that, for every 100,000 workers, almost one person died while on the job.

Only Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire had fatal injury rates below the national average.

Top 10 areas for non-fatal workplace injuries in Scotland

The following figures show the rate of non-fatal workplace injuries per 100,000 workers. The national average is 234.

Top 10 areas for fatal workplace injuries in Scotland

The following figures show the rate of fatal workplace injuries per 100,000 workers. The national average is 0.93.

Employers must follow workplace health and safety rules

Gordon added: “Each job, workplace and industry has its own set of safety standards that employers must follow by law.

“There is no acceptable reason for corners to be cut.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s a tight deadline to meet or if doing things ‘by the book’ seems to make it slower.

“Harnesses, hard hats, manual lifting processes, pedestrian walkways, risk assessments... they all exist for a reason - to keep people safe.

“Over the last 30 years we’ve helped countless families with fatal workplace accident claims where I’ve seen the most basic of failings from employers result in children being left without a parent.

“It simply can’t continue. Families are entitled to think their loved one will return home at the end of each day.

“Work is about earning while giving up your time – not your life.”