Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Statistics
The latest survey of self-reported work-related illness (SWI) carried out in 2006/07 estimated that, in the South West, 222 000 people suffered from an illness which they believe was caused or made worse by their current or past work (See Table WRIGOR1E). The associated prevalence rate of 5700 per 100 000 people (5.7%) was statistically significantly higher than those for England (5000 per 100 000 people - 5.0%) and Great Britain (5100 per 100 000 people - 5.1%).
Comparing this rate with the corresponding rates from earlier SWI surveys indicates that the estimated prevalence rate in 2006/07 was statistically significantly higher than the rates in 2005/06 (4200 per 100 000 people - 4.2%) and 2004/05 (4700 per 100 000 people - 4.7%), but was of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to the rates in 2003/04 (5400 per 100 000 people - 5.4%) and 2001/02 (6000 per 100 000 people - 6.0%).
More detailed prevalence data by type of illness are not yet available from SWI06/07. However, earlier SWI surveys indicate that the prevalence rate for musculoskeletal disorders (See Table MSDGOR1E) in 2005/06 was of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to the rate in 2004/05, but was statistically significantly lower than the rates in 2003/04 and 2001/02, whereas the rate for stress, depression or anxiety (See Table STRGOR1E) in 2005/06 was statistically significantly lower than the corresponding rates in 2004/05, 2003/04 and 2001/02.
In 2006/07, the South West had an estimated incidence rate of work-related illness of 2200 per 100 000 people (2.2%) who worked in the last 12 months (See Table WRIGOR2W12). This rate was statistically significantly higher than in 2005/06 (1500 per 100 000 people – 1.5%) but was of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to those in 2004/05 (2200 per 100 000 people - 2.2%), 2003/04 (2000 per 100 000 people – 2.0%) and 2001/02 (2500 per 100 000 people – 2.5%).
Regional data is also available for the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma (see Table MESO05). Regional differences reflect the historic distribution of asbestos using industries, especially shipbuilding, railway engineering and the production of asbestos insulation products. Compared to the national average, the mesothelioma death rates for the South West are close to the national average.
In 2006/07, there were 24 fatal injuries to workers in the South West, 2 446 reported major injuries to employees and 9 034 over 3 day injuries to employees. There were 7 fatal and 1 488 non-fatal injuries to members of the public (See table REGINJ [Excel 3.6mb] 
).
In the South West in 2006/07, the rate per 100,000 employees was 111.5 for fatal and major injuries and 408.7 for over 3 day injuries, compared with Great Britain averages of 107.0 and 422.6 respectively. However, differences between regional injuries are strongly influenced by the composition of employment in regions, for example, the mix of industries and occupations (See table regrate.xls 518KB] ).
Over the period 2001/02 to 2006/07, major injuries to employees increased by 10% compared to an increase of 2% in Great Britain as a whole. Over 3 day injuries to employees fell by 12%, compared to a fall of 13% in Great Britain. Non-fatal injuries to members increased by 24%, compared to an increase of 22% in Great Britain.
The Services industries accounted for between 55% and 66% of fatal and major injuries to employees over the six-year period. In 2006/07, the Construction industry has the highest rate of fatal and major injuries to employees (306.5).
The Services industries accounted for approximately 61% to 71% of over 3 day injuries to employees over the six-year period. In 2006/07 the highest rate of over 3 day injuries to employees was in the Extraction & Utility Supply industry (824.3).
Reported injuries data are also available for counties and local authorities within the South West. These include estimated rates per 100 000 employees (see Technical note).
The injury figures above are based on reports under RIDDOR. HSE also places questions in the Labour Force Survey (LFS), asking people if they have suffered a workplace injury in the last year. Based on the Labour Force Survey (LFS), the rate of reportable non-fatal injury in the South West was 1400 per 100 000 workers (1.4%) in 2005/06 (three-year average), statistically significantly higher than the average of 1100 per 100 000 workers (1.1%) for England. (See table lfsgor.htm).
Data from the 2006/07 LFS and SWI surveys indicate that the combined estimate of the number of working days lost (full-day equivalent) due to workplace injury and work-related ill health in the South West was 3.7 million. This equates to an average annual loss of an estimated 1.8 days per worker, similar (not statistically significantly different) to the rates of 1.3 days in 2005/06, 1.9 days in 2004/05 and 1.8 days in 2003/04.
Workplace injuries and work-related illness accounted for an estimated 0.9 million and 2.9 million working days lost (full-day equivalent) respectively in 2006/07, with corresponding rates of 0.42 and 1.4 days per worker.
The injury rate was of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to that of 0.35 days in 2005/06 and to the corresponding rates of 0.46 days in 2004/05 and 0.35 days in 2003/04.
The ill health rate was also of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to those of 0.99 days in 2005/06, 1.4 days in 2004/05 and 1.5 days in 2003/04. (See Table WDLGOR).
NB Enforcement statistics are presented separately for HSE and Local authorities. For HSE, historic data are presented for Field Operations Directorate only, i.e. excluding Railways Inspectorate (RI), Hazardous Installations Directorate (HID) and Nuclear Safety Directorate (NSD). In addition, 2005/06 data onwards are presented for all HSE Directorates excluding RI.
In 2006/07, there were 92 offences prosecuted by all HSE directorates (excluding Railways) in the South West, 70 of which led to a conviction. The average fine per conviction was £6,866, an increase on the previous year (£4,699). In 2005/06, there were 7 offences prosecuted by Local Authorities in the South West, 6 of which led to a conviction. The average fine per conviction was £11,050, a fall on the previous year (£29,152).
