HSE publishes annual work-related ill-health and injury statistics

The estimated number of workers in Great Britain suffering a work-related illness now stands at 1.8 million, with stress, depression and anxiety making up around half of cases, new figures released by the HSE show.
 
The figures show there were an estimated 914,000 cases of work-related stress, depression and anxiety in the period 2021/22, up from 800,000 in the period 2020/21.  The 2021/22 figure translates to an estimated 17 million working days being lost due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2021/22, which is over half of all working days lost due to work-related ill health.
 
The HSE have acknowledged that, whilst the UK is one of the safest places to work, there is a growing crisis in stress and poor mental health related to work and have urged employers to do more and support good mental health at work. 
 
Aside from trends for worsening stress, depression and anxiety in the workplace, the figures released concerning physical injuries are a mixed bag.   The number of workers sustaining non-fatal injuries has risen from 0.4 million during the period 2020/21 to 0.6 million during the period 2021/22.  However, during the same period, the number of fatalities in the workplace has decreased from 142 to 123.  The number of deaths each year estimated to be linked to past exposure at work, primarily from chemicals or dust, remains the same at 13,000.
 
The Association reminds members of the importance of managing risk appropriately in the workplace.  In relation to mental health, the Association now offers discounted mental health training.  Please see further reading section, below, for more information.
 

Further reading:
 
Health and safety at work statistics (2022)
Mental Health First Aid

Written by

Owen Baker | Technical Officer