Almost 2 million workers suffered from ‘work-related’ illness this year, figures reveal

Almost two million workers in Great Britain reported suffering from work-related ill health over the past year.

The statistics, revealed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also showed that almost half of the cases were down to stress, depression or anxiety.

The figures show that from 2022 to 2023 1.8million workers reported that they were suffering from work-related health. In the recent years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of self-reported work-related ill health had been broadly flat, but the current rate is higher than 2018/19.

HSE’s chief executive Sarah Albon said:

“Preventing or tackling work-related stress can provide significant benefits to employees, improving their experience of work and their overall health; and also to employers including increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and reduced staff turnover.”

There were an estimated 875,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2022/23. Meanwhile, an estimated 35.2 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to self-reported work-related ill health or injury.

HSE’s statistics also reveal the impact work-related ill health and workplace injuries are having on Britain’s economic performance. In 2021/22, the estimated annual costs of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health reached £20.7 billion, representing a £1.9 billion increase compared with 2019/20.

The figures also show that 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23, while 561,000 workers sustained self-reported non-fatal injuries in the workplace during the same period.

What is a work-related illness?

A work-related illness refers to a health issue or problem that stems from the workplace. This can include physical accidents, industrial diseases or psychiatric illness.

List of work-related illnesses

Common work-related illnesses include the following:

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Stress and mental health disorders
• Work-related cancer
• Skin diseases
• Work-related diseases from biological agents
• Asbestosis
• Noise-induced hearing loss

Laws around work-related illnesses

There are a number of laws and regulations in place to keep employees safe at work.

• Accidents at Work

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is in place to protect workers in the UK. The regulations state employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees. It also states that systems of work are in place to keep employees safe.

Necessary training should be available and carried out to ensure employees can carry out their jobs safely, and that any risks are assessed appropriately. If you have had an accident at work, you may be able to win compensation for your losses. For more information on accidents in the workplace, click here.

• Stress at work

There are also regulations in place to protect the mental health of employees and to help employees suffering from work-related stress. If an employer has breached these regulations you may be able to make a psychiatric injury claim. For more information about work-related stress and when to make a claim, click here.

• Industrial diseases

Meanwhile, employers also have a liability to ensure workers are safe in their work environment. People who have developed health problems as a result of their work could be entitled to compensation if it can be proven that their employer was negligent and failed to keep them free from risk.

Industrial diseases can include asbestosis, mesothelioma, noise-induced hearing loss, and hand-arm vibration syndrome.

If you have suffered from an industrial disease as a result of your workplace, you may be able to win compensation. Click here for more information.

Further reading

Industrial Disease  – Oakwood Solicitors

Accidents at work – Oakwood Solicitors

Stress at Work – Oakwood Solicitors

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