The HSE recently published their 2022/23 health and safety statistics for Great Britain. The annual summary provides an overview of current facts and figures, along with expert commentary on the state of safety in workplaces across the UK. 

The report revealed that 1.8 million working people are suffering from a work-related illness. More than half of these cases – 875,000 UK employees – are linked to job-related stress, depression, or anxiety. A further 473,000 individuals are living with a work-related musculoskeletal disorder. 

In total, 35.2 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury.

Other key 2022/23 statistics include: 

• 2,268 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2021)
• 135 workers killed in work-related accidents
• 561,000 working people sustained an injury at work, according to the Labour Force Survey
• 60,645 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR
• 35.2 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury
• £20.7 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2021/22)

Work-related ill health 

The statistics reveal an upward trend compared to pre-pandemic levels. Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, the rate of self-reported work-related ill health – and the working days lost per employee because of it – had been broadly flat. However, this year’s figures show an increase on 2018/19 levels.

• 672,000 workers are suffering from a new case of work-related ill health in 2022/23.
• 31.5 million working days were lost due to work-related ill health in 2022/23.
• 13,000 deaths each year are estimated to be linked to past exposure at work, primarily to chemicals or dust.

 Work-related stress, depression, or anxiety

The rate of self-reported work-related stress, depression, or anxiety rose in the past year, with the public sector particularly hard hit. The industries showing the highest levels of mental health issues include human health and social work, education, and public administration and defence.  

• 875,000 workers are suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety (new or long-standing cases) in 2022/23.

• 338,000 employees experienced a new case of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2022/23.
• 17.1 million working days have been lost due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in the past year. 

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) 

MSD cases and working days lost per worker have held steady compared to pre-Covid levels. The vast majority (82%) of employees suffer from back, upper limb, and neck issues, while the remaining segment have conditions affecting their lower limbs. Industries with higher-than-average MSD incidences include administration and support services, construction, and human health and social work. 

• 473,000 employees are suffering from a work-related MSD (new or long-standing) in 2022/23.
• 132,000 individuals experienced a new case of a job-related MSD this year. 
• 6.6 million working days were lost due to work-related MSDs in 2022/23. 

Occupational lung disease

Occupational lung diseases account for around 12,000 of the 13,000 total deaths estimated to be linked to past exposures at work. 34% can be attributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 20% to asbestos-related lung cancer, and 20% to mesothelioma. Encouragingly, this year’s report indicated that annual mesothelioma deaths are expected to reduce from 2022 to 2030.

• 12,000 lung disease deaths each year are estimated to be connected with past exposures at work.  
• 2,268 mesothelioma deaths occurred in 2021, with a similar number of lung cancer deaths related to past exposures to asbestos. 
• 19,000 estimated new cases of breathing or lung problems were caused or worsened by work each year on average over the last three years, according to self-reports from the Labour Force Survey. 

Workplace injuries 

Over the long term, workers are experiencing fewer workplace injuries. The estimated rate of self-reported workplace non-fatal injuries has declined since 2000/01 and now sits on par with pre-coronavirus levels. The most common types of accidents include slips, trips, or falls on the same level (32%), manual handling injuries (17%), being struck by a moving object (11%), falls from height (8%), and acts of violence (8%). 

• 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23.
• 561,000 employees sustained a workplace non-fatal injury, according to self-reports from the Labour Force Survey in 2022/23. 
• 60,645 non-fatal work-related injuries were reported by employers under RIDDOR in 2022/23. 
• 3.7 million working days were lost due to non-fatal workplace injuries, according to self-reports from the Labour Force Survey in 2022/23. 

Counting the cost of health and safety issues 

Workplace injuries and new cases of work-related ill health (excluding long latency illnesses, such as cancer) cost the UK £20.7 billion in 2021/22 – with individuals bearing more than half the cost. In comparison to employers and government, workers covered £12.2 billion in ‘financial costs’ and ‘human costs’, including healthcare expenses and the monetary valuation of grief and suffering. 

• Yearly costs of new cases of work-related ill health in 2021/22 (excluding long latency illnesses, such as cancer) were £13.1 billion. 
• Annual costs of workplace injury in 2021/22 reached £7.7 billion. 
• Estimated annual workplace injury costs and new cases of work-related ill health rose by £1.9 billion compared to 2019/20. 

Reduce risk and protect your team  

As an employer, you have a duty of care to prevent workplace incidents and minimise job-related stress. Our expert team makes it simple and cost-effective to protect your people with tailored solutions that address your unique safety challenges.  

Schedule an informal chat with an Opus consultant to discuss how we can improve employee health and safety across your business.

Get in touch on hello@opus-safety.co.uk or 0330 043 4015.