Health and Safety Executive

Table TYPEEWS1W12 - 2005/06

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 892 485 453 518 1920 1790 2050
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 356 190 170 210 750 670 830
  mainly affects the lower limbs 153 86 72 100 340 290 390
  mainly affects the back 383 210 188 231 830 750 920
Breathing or lung problem 69 38 29 47 150 110 190
Skin problem 27 15 10 21 61 38 84
Hearing problem 30 17 11 24 69 43 94
Stress, depression or anxiety 567 308 282 334 1220 1120 1320
Headache and/or eyestrain 40 25 17 32 97 66 130
  Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 46 25 17 32 98 69 130
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 40 22 15 29 86 59 110
Other type of complaint 136 75 62 88 300 240 350
Missing 2 .. .. .. .. .. ..
Total 1849 1011 964 1059 4000 3820 4190
Wales Bone, joint or muscle problem 50 26 18 33 1860 1340 2380
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 18 * * * * * *
  mainly affects the lower limbs 5 * * * * * *
  mainly affects the back 27 14 8 19 1010 610 1400
Breathing or lung problem 5 * * * * * *
Skin problem 3 * * * * * *
Hearing problem 3 * * * * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 21 12 7 17 840 480 1200
Headache and/or eyestrain 1 * * * * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system  3 * * * * * *
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 1 * * * * * *
Other type of complaint 6 * * * * * *
Total 93 49 39 59 3550 2830 4280
Scotland  Bone, joint or muscle problem 69 35 27 44 1380 1050 1710
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 29 14 9 19 540 340 740
  mainly affects the lower limbs 11 * * * * * *
  mainly affects the back 29 16 10 22 620 390 850
Breathing or lung problem 9 * * * * * *
Skin problem 7 * * * * * *
Hearing problem 4 * * * * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 58 30 22 38 1160 850 1470
Headache and/or eyestrain 3 * * * * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 4 * * * * * *
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 2 * * * * * *
Other type of complaint 13 * * * * * *
Total 169 86 73 100 3380 2860 3900

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 14.09.09