Costs to Britain of Workplace Injuries and Ill health

New estimates show the total cost associated with workplace injuries and ill health in Great Britain to be some £13.4 billion in 2010/11. This total has fallen in the last four years, reflecting the downward movements in injury and illness numbers.

• The cost estimates aim to reflect the economic costs of injuries and common ill health complaints resulting from current working conditions
• Of the total cost in 2010/11, workplace illness cost society an estimated £8.2 billion; workplace injury (including fatalities) an estimated £5.2 billion
• Somewhat over half of the total cost in 2010/11 fell on individuals whilst the remainder was shared between employers and government
• £5.76 billion of the total cost in 2010/11 represents financial costs; the remaining £7.66 billion represents the monetary value given to individuals' 'pain, grief and suffering'
• Between 2006/07 and 2010/11 the estimated total cost fell by around £3 billion (£13.4 billion in 2010/11 compared with £16.3 billion in 2006/07)
• Cost estimates for 2006/07 and onwards are not directly comparable with previously published figures, being based on amended, more accurate methods
• Further work is underway to estimate costs of less common work-related illness conditions such as cancer. These costs could be considerable

Total cost of workplace fatalities, injuries and ill health in Great Britain, 2006/07-2010/11 (2010 prices)

Note: average sampling variability +/- 8% on the total

Information about costs of workplace fatalities, injuries and ill health in Great Britain

• Cost to Britain of workplace injuries and work-related ill health
• Short description of the methods used to estimate economic costs
• Detailed report of the methods used to estimate economic costs
• Cost table
• Unit costs of workplace accidents and ill health