Health and Safety Executive

Table TYPESEX2E - 2003/04

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

Gender Type of complaint Sample cases Estimated incidence (thousands) for people ever employed
central 95% C.I.
lower upper
Males Bone, joint or muscle problem 188 99 85 114
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 84 45 35 55
  mainly affects the lower limbs 38 20 13 26
  mainly affects the back 66 35 26 43
Breathing or lung problem 43 21 15 27
Skin problem 9 * * *
Hearing problem 7 * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 210 111 95 126
Headache and/or eyestrain 13 * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 24 12 7 17
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 22 11 7 16
Other type of complaint 54 29 21 37
Missing 2 .. .. ..
Total 572 301 276 326
Females Bone, joint or muscle problem 213 105 91 120
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 106 52 42 62
  mainly affects the lower limbs 27 14 8 19
  mainly affects the back 80 39 31 48
Breathing or lung problem 19 * * *
Skin problem 9 * * *
Hearing problem 5 * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 286 143 127 160
Headache and/or eyestrain 13 * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 7 * * *
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 22 11 6 16
Other type of complaint 48 23 17 30
Total 622 309 284 333
All persons Bone, joint or muscle problem 401 204 184 225
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 190 97 83 111
  mainly affects the lower limbs 65 33 25 41
  mainly affects the back 146 74 62 86
Breathing or lung problem 62 29 22 37
Skin problem 18 * * *
Hearing problem 12 * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 496 254 231 277
Headache and/or eyestrain 26 14 8 20
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 31 16 10 21
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 44 22 16 29
Other type of complaint 102 52 42 63
Missing 2 .. .. ..
Total 1194 609 574 644

Notes:

.. Not applicable

* Sample numbers too small to provide reliable estimates

Figures in italics are estimates based on fewer than 30 sample cases

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Updated 10.09.09