The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its annual report on work-related ill health and workplace injuries for 2023/24.
The data provides insights into the health and safety challenges facing Britain’s workforce and their economic impact.
The report reveals that 1.7 million workers experienced work-related ill health during the period, maintaining a similar level to 2022/23, which saw 1.8 million cases. The current rate of self-reported work-related ill health remains higher than pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2018/19.
Stress, depression, and anxiety continue to be significant contributors, accounting for approximately half of all reported cases. There were an estimated 776,000 cases of work-related mental health issues in 2023/24, a decrease from 910,000 in the previous year. While the reduction is notable, the rate remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic years.
The HSE report highlights the considerable impact of work-related ill health and injuries on productivity. An estimated 33.7 million working days were lost in 2023/24 due to these issues. The economic cost of workplace injuries and new cases of work-related ill health for 2022/23 is estimated at £21.6 billion. This represents a reduction of £1.6 billion compared to 2021/22.
Workplace Injuries and Fatalities
The statistics also document fatalities and injuries in the workplace. A total of 138 workers lost their lives in work-related accidents during 2023/24. Additionally, 604,000 workers reported sustaining non-fatal injuries in the workplace during the same period.
HSE’s chief executive Sarah Albon said, “This year marks 50 years since the legislation which established HSE was passed. Much has been achieved in that time, including a dramatic reduction of around 85 per cent in the numbers of employee fatal injuries in the workplace.
“Today, Great Britain is one of the safest places in the world to work but these statistics serve as a reminder that there is still room for further improvement, and we remain committed to ensuring people remain safe and healthy wherever work is taking place.”
Brett Hill, Head of Health & Protection at leading independent consultancy Broadstone, commented, “These figures demonstrate the immense burden of ill-health, in particular, on the UK economy, employers and individuals. Hundreds of thousands of people every year are suffering new cases of ill-health that they believe are caused or made worse through their work dealing a £14.5 billion to the nation’s economy.
“It is a reminder of the importance of employers implementing proactive healthcare strategies, such as occupational health programmes, that can protect the health of their workforce to avoid costly absenteeism through illness or injury. With NHS waiting lists still at record levels and unlikely to materially improve in the short-term, businesses must increasingly shoulder the burden of maintaining the health of their staff, with a clear focus on prevention and early intervention.”