Millions Suffer Work-related Ill Health

A report published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) this month shows that an estimated two million British workers suffer ill health, which they believe was caused or made worse by work.

The Self reported Work-related Illness survey 2004/2005 indicates that of the two million around 600,000 workers were affected by the illness for the first time in the last year. These figures equated to around 28 million working days lost to the British economy every year.

HSE Chief Executive Geoffrey Podger said, “28 million days is a huge loss to the British economy. HSE is working with employers, trades unions and other government departments to bring this down. In the past year we have launched Workplace Health Connect and the Government more widely launched it’s Health Work and Well Being strategy to keep British workers healthy and in work.”

Key cases of ill health include:

In the past 12 months the trend appears to have reversed:

Above average rates for work related illness included health and social welfare, teaching and research professionals and skilled construction and building trades.

Press Release

Downloaded full report here

source: HSE news release

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