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).