Health and Safety Executive

Table TYPESEX2E - 2004/05

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 199 108 92 123
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 82 45 35 55
  mainly affects the lower limbs 38 19 13 25
  mainly affects the back 79 44 34 54
Breathing or lung problem 24 12 7 17
Skin problem 12 * * *
Hearing problem 11 * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 187 101 87 116
Headache and/or eyestrain 6 * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 19 * * *
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 13 * * *
Other type of complaint 52 27 20 35
Missing 1 .. .. ..
Total 524 280 256 305
Females Bone, joint or muscle problem 198 98 84 112
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 97 49 39 58
  mainly affects the lower limbs 29 14 9 19
  mainly affects the back 72 36 28 45
Breathing or lung problem 15 * * *
Skin problem 8 * * *
Hearing problem 1 * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 281 144 127 161
Headache and/or eyestrain 14 * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 8 * * *
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 28 14 9 19
Other type of complaint 30 15 10 21
Total 583 295 271 319
All persons Bone, joint or muscle problem 397 206 185 227
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 179 93 79 108
  mainly affects the lower limbs 67 33 25 41
  mainly affects the back 151 80 67 93
Breathing or lung problem 39 19 13 26
Skin problem 20 10 6 15
Hearing problem 12 * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 468 245 222 268
Headache and/or eyestrain 20 11 6 16
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 27 13 8 18
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 41 22 15 29
Other type of complaint 82 42 33 52
Missing 1 .. .. ..
Total 1107 576 541 610

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