LTB 324/23 – HSE Publishes Latest Work-Related Ill Health, Injury and Fatality Statistics 2022/23
No. 324/2023
5 December 2023
Our Ref: EX5/23
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
HSE Publishes Latest Work-Related Ill Health, Injury and Fatality Statistics 2022/23:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its annual statistics on work-related ill health, workplace injuries and deaths. The report confirms that nearly two million workers in GB (England, Scotland and Wales) reported suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23.
The statistics reveal that 1.8 million workers reported they were suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23, with approximately half of the cases down to stress, depression or anxiety.
In the recent years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of work-related ill health had been broadly flat, but the current rate is higher than 2018/19.
There were an estimated 875,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2022/23. The current rate of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety is higher than the pre-pandemic level.
An estimated 35.2 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to work-related ill health or injury.
In launching the statistics, the HSE stated that preventing or tackling work-related stress can provide significant benefits to employees, improving their experience of work and their overall health; and also to employers including increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and reduced staff turnover.
HSE’s statistics also reveal the impact work-related ill health and workplace injuries are having on Britain’s economic performance.
In 2021/22, the estimated annual costs of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health reached £20.7 billion, representing a £1.9 billion increase compared with 2019/20.
The figures also show that 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23, while 561,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury in the workplace during the same period.
Key HSE figures for GB (2022/23)
- 1.8 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which
- 875,000 workers suffering work-related stress, depression or anxiety
- 473,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder
- 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)
See attached HSE Report ‘Health and Safety at Work – Summary Statistics for Great Britain 2023’.
HSE (Northern Ireland):
HSENI and the local councils cover all work health and safety situations in Northern Ireland that are subject to the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. It was founded as the Health and Safety Agency for Northern Ireland when the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 were extended to the province in 1978. It was renamed Executive in 1998.
The HSENI reported their key statistics for 2022/23 as;
- 10 fatal injuries.
- 289 major injuries.
- 2,276 over 3-days sick leave injuries.
- 2,575 total work-related injuries for the year.
(HSE Annual Report 2022/23 is available at: https://www.hseni.gov.uk/sites/hseni.gov.uk/files/hseni-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-2023.pdf)
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
23LTB324 HSE Publishes Latest Work-Related Ill Health, Injury and Fatality Statistics 2022-23