Health and Safety Executive

Table TYPEEWS1W12 - 2006/07

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 988 546 512 581 2170 2030 2310
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 404 225 203 248 890 800 980
  mainly affects the lower limbs 156 85 71 98 340 280 390
  mainly affects the back 428 237 213 260 940 850 1030
Breathing or lung problem 64 36 27 45 140 110 180
Skin problem 32 18 11 24 70 45 94
Hearing problem 37 21 14 28 84 56 110
Stress, depression or anxiety 698 386 357 415 1530 1420 1650
Headache and/or eyestrain 47 27 19 34 110 75 140
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 37 21 14 28 83 55 110
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 59 35 26 44 140 100 180
Other type of complaint 162 91 77 106 360 310 420
Missing 2 .. .. .. .. .. ..
Total 2126 1182 1130 1234 4690 4490 4890
Wales Bone, joint or muscle problem 76 38 30 47 2740 2130 3350
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 29 15 9 20 1040 660 1420
  mainly affects the lower limbs 12 * * * * * *
  mainly affects the back 35 17 12 23 1240 830 1650
Breathing or lung problem 5 * * * * * *
Skin problem 5 * * * * * *
Hearing problem 5 * * * * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 43 23 16 30 1630 1140 2120
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 2 * * * * * *
Other type of complaint 7 * * * * * *
Total 143 74 61 86 5250 4400 6100
Scotland Bone, joint or muscle problem 109 58 47 70 2210 1780 2640
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 44 23 16 30 880 620 1140
  mainly affects the lower limbs 18 * * * * * *
  mainly affects the back 47 26 18 34 980 680 1280
Breathing or lung problem 12 * * * * * *
Skin problem 4 * * * * * *
Hearing problem 5 * * * * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 85 46 36 56 1760 1380 2140
Headache and/or eyestrain 1 * * * * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 3 * * * * * *
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 6 * * * * * *
Other type of complaint 13 * * * * * *
Total 238 129 111 146 4890 4260 5530

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 15.09.09