HSE publishes annual work-related ill health and injury statistics for 2022/23

The HSE has now published its annual statistics in respect of work related ill health and workplace injuries. That report confirms that nearly 2 million workers in Great Britain reported suffering from work related ill health in 2022/23. Historically since pre- Covid 19 the rate of self-reported work related ill health had been relatively flat but the HSE confirm that these new statistics show a current rate of reporting that is higher than that reported in 2018/19.

These statistics include:

• 875,000 workers suffering from a work related stress, depression or anxiety
• 473,000 workers suffering from a workrelated Musculo-skeletal injury
• 2,268 deaths mesothelioma deaths due to asbestos exposure
• 135 fatal workrelated accidents

This report tells us that nearly half of the current work-related illness are psychological, which is a rate higher than that shown on the pre-pandemic data.

With 561,000 working people sustaining an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey, and 60,645 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR, this is likely to have a sizeable impact on the economic performance of businesses within Gret Britain. The HSE report advises that they estimate the annual costs of injuries and ill health from current working conditions in 2021/22 had reached £20.7 billion, being a £1.9billion increase on their estimate for 2019/20 and the current data indicates that this impact is likely to continue.

Forbes Comment - The rise in reported work related psychological injuries may reflect the greater awareness and acceptance in society of such conditions. It may however also be a consequence of the changing work environment we have seen as a result of Covid-19. Working from home can create feelings of isolation, and decrease the visibility of staff and their struggles, unless steps are taken to ensure that this is accounted for. If you have any concerns about the risk of the work related illnesses and your processes for addressing the same, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information and assistance.