September 7, 2005—The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new statistics on work-related ill health in Great Britain. For the first time these identify the contributing factors recorded by specialist doctors involved in cases of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and mental ill health.
In 2004 specialist doctors in the Health and Occupation Reporting (THOR) network saw an estimated 23,000 new cases. As in previous years, the most common types of work related illness were: musculoskeletal disorders, affecting mainly the back and upper limbs, and mental ill health, which consisted mostly of stress, depression, and anxiety.
Between 2002 and 2004, the tasks that were most commonly reported as contributing to MSDs were guiding or holding tools, followed by heavy lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and keyboard work. The jobs carrying the highest risks of musculoskeletal disorders were: typists; metal plate workers; shipwrights and riveters; and road construction operatives, all with annual average incidence rates around 15 times the average for all occupations.
In cases of work-related mental ill health reported to THOR in 2002-04, the most commonly reported factor was simple work pressure, which was mentioned in one quarter of cases. Interpersonal difficulties were a factor in 22% of cases, with traumatic events a factor in 10% and bullying or sexual harassment in 8% of cases. NCOs and other ranks in the UK armed forces showed the highest incidence rate of work-related mental ill health, followed by medical practitioners. A consistent pattern in self-reporting surveys is that professional and managerial groups have the highest rates of work-related stress, anxiety, or depression, particularly teachers, nurses, and other public sector occupations.
In 2004 there were 7,080 new cases assessed as qualifying for compensation, compared to 7,910 new cases in 2003. There were falls in cases of chronic bronchitis, vibration white finger, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Cases of asbestos-related disease (mostly mesothelioma and asbestosis) continued to rise. Each year an estimated 6,000 people die from cancer due to past exposures at work to such materials as asbestos.
Previously published figures show that overall, in 2003-04, an estimated 2.2 million people were suffering from an illness that they believed was caused or made worse by their work.
Occupational Health Statistics Bulletin 2004/05 (.pdf file) is available from HSE.
