Health and Safety statistics

The following was sourced from the HSE publication, Health and Safety Statistics Highlights 2003/04, "Self reported work related ilnesses in 2003/2004, results from the labour force survey" which can be downloaded from the website: http://www.hse.gov.uk

In 2003/04, an estimated 29.8 million working days were lost through self-reported work-related illness. Musculoskeletal disorders (in particular, those affecting the back and upper limbs) were the most commonly reported work-related illness in 2003/04, with an estimated 1,108,000 people ever employed affected.
Stress, depression or anxiety was the second most commonly reported work-related illness in 2003/04, with an estimated 557,000 people ever employed affected.
Stress, depression or anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders accounted for the majority of these working days lost, with a combined total of 24.6 million:

- 12.8 million working days for stress, depression or anxiety. 
- 11.8 million working days for musculoskeletal disorders.

Other self-reported work-related illnesses in 2003/04 include headaches and/or eyestrain (affecting 37,000 people ever employed) and heart disease/attacks and other illnesses affecting the circulatory system (affecting 66,000 people ever employed).

DSE assessment

Health and Safety (H&S) regulations require that the employee uses his/her desk with a minimal risk to health.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) directives for DSE came into force on the 1st of January 1993.

It requires the employers to:

• -Analyse workstations to assess and reduce risks
• -Ensure workstations meet specified minimum requirements
• -Plan work activities so that they include breaks or changes of activity
• -Provide eye and eyesight tests on request, and special spectacles if needed.
• -Provide information and training.

Corporate Onsite Therapies can provide DSE (Display Screen Equipment) assessments compatible with H&S regulations with the added benefit of an enhanced knowledge of posture and body mechanics.
The DSE assessment is completed with a written report available to the employee and company.
Corporate Onsite Therapies will for instance have more than the knowledge required to adapt a work place to an employee who has a specific initial back/musculoskeletal complaint, thanks to our medical background.

See website HSE DSE regulations and Guidance for initial information and the following documentation:

• -Working with VDUs ISBN 0717615049 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf
• -VDUs an easy guide to regulation ISBN 0717607356
• -DSE Work, Guidance on regulation ISBN 0 &176 04101
• -Seating at work ISBN 0717612317