HSE publishes annual work-related ill health and injury statistics

 

The HSE has published statistics that cover work-related ill health, non-fatal workplace injuries and enforcement action taken by HSE, in the 2023/24
period. Key figures include:

• 1.7 million workers suffering from a work-related illness, around half – 776,000 – of which were stress, depression or anxiety (2022/2023
  was 1.8 million). Musculoskeletal disorders made up 32% of the statistic.
• 12,000 lung disease deaths estimated
  to be linked to past exposures at work.
• 61,663 injuries to employees reported
  under RIDDOR.
• 604,000 workers sustained a nonfatal injury at work; 138 workers were
  killed in work-related accidents.

There have been six cases of silicosis attributed to artificial stone (reported within THOR [SWORD]) at the end of 2023, with HSE stating that additional cases attributed to artificial stone from 2024 onwards will be reported once statistics have been finalised during 2025.

HSE are currently drafting new guidelines around engineered stone.

HSE’s Chief Executive Sarah Albon said: “This year marks 50 years since the legislation which established HSE was passed. Much has been achieved in that time, including a dramatic reduction of around 85 per cent in the numbers of employee fatal injuries in the workplace.

“We remain committed”

“Today, Great Britain is one of the safest places in the world to work but these statistics serve as a reminder that there is still room for further improvement, and we remain committed to ensuring people remain safe and healthy wherever work is taking place.”

HSE’s statistics also reveal the impact work-related ill health and workplace injuries are having on Britain’s economic performance. In 2022/23, the estimated annual costs of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health reached £21.6 billion, which is £1.6 billion less compared with
2021/22.