Health and Safety Statistics for 2023
The HSE has recently published the latest statistics on health and safety at work for 2023. Many of the figures have improved slightly from last year, showing positive progress. They also help to indicate areas and sectors that should be focused on.
Health and Safety Statistics for Great Britain 2023
- 1.8 million workers suffering from work-related ill health (new or long-standing) in 2022/23. There is no change to last year’s statistic.
- 875,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety (new or long-standing) in 2022/23. This is 39,000 less workers compared to 2021/22.
- 473,000 workers suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (new or long-standing) in 2022/23. This is 4000 less workers compared to 2021/22.
- 2268 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposure in 2021, compared to 2544 in 2020.
- 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/2023, compared to 123 workers in 2021/22.
- 561,000 workers sustaining a workplace non-fatal injury in 2022/23. This is 4000 less workers compared to 2021/22.
- 60,645 work-related non-fatal injuries to employees were reported by employers in 2022/23. This is 1068 less compared to 2021/22.
- 35.2 million working days were lost due to work-related ill health and non-fatal workplace injury in 2022/23. This is 1.6 million less compared to 2021/22.
- £20.7 billion was the annual cost of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health in 2021/22 excluding latency illnesses such as cancer. This has increased by £1.9 billion from the 2019/20 figure.
Work-related ill health
Despite reducing by 4.3% from 2021/22, stress, depression or anxiety continues to be the leading cause of work-related ill health (49%). This is followed by musculoskeletal disorders (27%) and then other illnesses (24%).
Work-related stress, depression or anxiety
17.1 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. In total, there was 875,000 new or long-standing cases of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. 338,000 of these were new cases. This figure has dropped by 9.1% compared to last year’s figure of 372,000.
The three sectors that suffered from higher-than-average rates of work-related stress, depression or anxiety included:
- Human health/social work
- Public admin/defence
- Education
Workplace injury
Sadly 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23. This figure saw an almost 10% increase compared to 2021/22! This suggests a focus on health and safety is needed in workplaces that may be considered high-risk. High-risk workplaces should ensure they are carrying out and regularly reviewing their risk assessments.
3.7 million working days were lost due to non-fatal workplace injuries. This can be extremely costly to employers as well as employees. 78% of those injuries resulted in up to 7 days absence, with 22% resulting in over 7 days absence.
The most common non-fatal accidents include:
- Slips, trips, and falls (32%)
- Handling, lifting, or carrying (17%)
- Struck by moving object (11%)
- Falls from height (8%)
- Acts of violence (8%)
Industry figures
Work-related ill health
The industries with the highest work-related ill health include:
- Human health/social health
- Public administration/defence
- Education
Workplace non-fatal injury
The industries with the highest workplace non-fatal injuries include:
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing
- Construction
- Accommodations/food service activities
- Wholesale/retail trade; repair of motor vehicles
To find out more information or support with your Health and Safety, get in contact with our team of experts.
T: 0330 107 1037
E: contact@hpc.uk.com
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