Health and Safety Executive

Work-related ill health and occupational disease

Rates of work-related ill health have generally reduced over the past decade.

  • Over 12 000 deaths each year are estimated to have been caused by past exposure at work - primarily exposure to chemicals and dusts
  • An estimated 1.2 million people who worked in 2010/11 report suffering from a work-related illness, of which 495 000 were new cases which started in the year (LFS)
  • 75% of the new work-related conditions in 2010/11 were either musculoskeletal disorders or stress, depression and anxiety
  • Other work-related illnesses include skin disease, respiratory disease, hearing loss and vibration-related disorders

New cases of self-reported, work-related ill health amongst people who have worked in the last 12 months

Note: average sampling variability +/- 7% on the total

New cases of self-reported, work-related ill health amongst people who have worked in the last 12 months

More information about particular conditions

See information about our preferred data source for the most common work-related conditions.


Directgov - Business Link

Updated 13.10.11