Around half of reported ill health is due to stress, depression or anxiety, the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) latest statistics for work-related ill-health and injury have revealed.

The figure amounts to an estimated 776,000 cases with each case taking an average of 21.1 days off work, the HSE says.

According to the release, 1.7 million working people suffering from a work-related illness.

The statistics show that:

  • 543,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder
  • 2,257 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2022)
  • 138 workers killed in work-related accidents
  • 604,000 working people sustained an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey
  • 61,663 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR
  • 33.7 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury
  • £21.6 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2022/23).

The HSE is reminding people that, no matter where you work, the law requires all employers to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health in the workplace. That means including stress in risk assessments and acting on it. The HSE recommends:

The HSE’s says its online learning acts as a step-by-step guide and provides all the tools, templates and information needed to get proactive on preventing stress and supporting good mental health at work.