Health and Safety Executive

Table SWIT3 - 2003/04

Estimated prevalence and rates of self-reported illness caused or made worse by work, by type of illness, for people ever employed.

Type of complaint Estimated prevalence (thousands) Rate per 100 000 ever employed
central 95% C.I. central 95% C.I.
lower upper lower upper
Musculoskeletal disorders 1108 1060 1155 2580 2470 2690
  mainly affecting the upper limbs or neck 448 418 477 1040 970 1110
  mainly affecting the lower limbs 192 172 211 450 400 490
  mainly affecting the back 468 437 499 1090 1020 1160
Breathing or lung problems 183 165 201 430 380 470
Skin problems 31 23 39 71 53 90
Hearing problems 81 69 93 190 160 220
Stress, depression or anxiety 557 523 590 1300 1220 1380
Headache and/or eyestrain 37 28 46 87 66 110
circulatory system 66 55 77 150 130 180
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 28 20 35 65 47 83
Other types of complaint 138 122 155 320 280 360
Missing .. .. .. .. .. ..
Total 2233 2167 2300 5200 5050 5360

Notes:

.. Not applicable

95% C.I.: 95% confidence interval, the range within which we are 95% confident that the true value lies in the absence of bias.


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Updated 16.02.10