Health and Safety Executive

Table SWIT6W12 - 2006/07

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

Type of complaint Sample cases Estimated Incidence (thousands) Rate per 100 000 employed in last 12 months
central 95% C.I. central 95% C.I.
lower upper lower upper
Bone, joint or muscle problem 410 230 207 253 790 710 870
  mainly affecting the upper limbs or neck 189 107 91 122 370 310 420
  mainly affecting the lower limbs 51 28 20 35 95 68 120
  mainly affecting the back 170 96 81 110 330 280 380
Breathing or lung problems 24 14 8 20 47 27 67
Skin problems 20 11 6 16 38 21 55
Hearing problems 4 * * * * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 440 242 219 265 830 750 910
Headache and/or eyestrain 19 * * * * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 25 14 8 19 47 28 65
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 52 31 22 39 110 76 130
Other type of complaint 99 58 46 70 200 160 240
Total 1093 612 575 649 2090 1970 2220

Notes:

* Sample numbers too small to provide reliable estimates

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

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 15.09.09