Health and Safety Executive

Table TYPEEWS1W12 - 2004/05

Estimated prevalence and rates of self-reported illness caused or made worse by work, by type of illness and country, for people working in the last 12 months.

Country Type of complaint Sample cases Estimated prevalence (thousands) Rate per 100 000 employed in last 12 months
central 95% C.I. central 95% C.I.
lower upper lower upper
England Bone, joint or muscle problem 935 490 458 523 1950 1830 2080
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 362 188 168 208 750 670 830
  mainly affects the lower limbs 142 74 62 86 290 250 340
  mainly affects the back 431 228 206 250 910 820 1000
Breathing or lung problem 74 38 29 48 150 120 190
Skin problem 31 17 11 24 70 45 94
Hearing problem 29 15 9 20 58 37 79
Stress, depression or anxiety 678 354 327 381 1410 1300 1520
Headache and/or eyestrain 43 23 16 30 93 64 120
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 45 23 16 30 91 64 120
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 47 25 18 33 100 71 130
Other type of complaint 146 75 63 88 300 250 350
Missing 1 .. .. .. .. .. ..
Total 2029 1062 1014 1110 4230 4040 4420
Wales Bone, joint or muscle problem 58 29 22 37 2090 1550 2630
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 23 12 7 17 860 510 1210
  mainly affects the lower limbs 11 * * * * * *
  mainly affects the back 24 12 7 17 850 510 1180
Breathing or lung problem 5 * * * * * *
Skin problem 2 * * * * * *
Hearing problem 2 * * * * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 41 21 14 28 1510 1040 1980
Headache and/or eyestrain 2 * * * * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 2 * * * * * *
Other type of complaint 9 * * * * * *
Total 121 62 50 73 4390 3590 5190
Scotland Bone, joint or muscle problem 95 47 37 57 1840 1460 2230
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 36 17 11 23 680 450 910
  mainly affects the lower limbs 21 11 6 15 410 230 590
  mainly affects the back 38 19 13 26 760 510 1010
Breathing or lung problem 4 * * * * * *
Skin problem 7 * * * * * *
Hearing problem 4 * * * * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 79 39 30 48 1530 1190 1870
Headache and/or eyestrain 7 * * * * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 4 * * * * * *
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 3 * * * * * *
Other type of complaint 7 * * * * * *
Total 210 104 89 119 4060 3500 4620

Notes:

.. Not applicable.

* Sample numbers too small to provide reliable estimates.

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

Quick links

Ask an expert 0845 345 0055

Health and Safety Executive
Caerphilly Business Park
Caerphilly CF83 3GG

Directgov - Business Link

Updated 10.09.09