The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – the British public body responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare – has published the latest statistics on work-related health and safety in Great Britain. Estimates of work-related ill health are based on self-reports from the HSE’s Labour Force Survey.
1.7 million working people suffering from a work-related illness
The annual figures (2023 to 2024) include:
- 1.7 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which:
- 776,000 workers suffering work-related stress, depression or anxiety
- 543,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder
- 2,257 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2022)
- 138 workers killed in work-related accidents
- 604,000 working people sustained an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey
- 61,663 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR
- 33.7 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury
- £21.6 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2022 to 2023)
Deeper dive
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the rate of self-reported work-related ill health had been broadly flat. The current rate (4,940 per 100,000 workers) is higher than the 2018/19 pre-coronavirus level.
A chart showing how the ill health rates have changed over time can be found in the Historical picture statistics in Great Britain report (PDF)
The South West of England (6,330 cases per 100,000 workers) had an ill health prevalence rate which was statistically significantly higher than the Great Britain rate of 5,220 cases per 100,000 workers over the period 2021/22 to 2023/24. Over the same period, East of England (4,590 cases per 100,000 workers) was the only region with a rate which was statistically significantly lower than the Great Britain rate (LFS).
The UK compares favourably to other European countries in health and safety standards. When it comes to the percentage of workers suffering from a work-related health problem resulting in time off work, it ranks 19th, with 3.3%. Poland, has the highest percentage at 12.8%.
For further analysis and insights:
- The HSE’s statistics webpages include a range of information such as different types of work-related ill-health and different industry sectors
- There is a comprehensive set of tables, designed to make the data accessible to users
- HSE have also provided an infographic-style summary booklet
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