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IOSH calls for action to tackle “scourge” of work-related ill health
IOSH believes the Government needs to invest in stronger
measures which support businesses in preventing work-related ill health,
including strengthening pathways to good mental health support and occupational
health services.
The Government recently announced a £240 million investment
into local services which help people back into work as part of its ‘Get
Britain Working’ programme.
Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at IOSH,
said: “These figures are very concerning and reveal the scourge of work-related
ill health. Poor health and safety harms people, communities and businesses. It
also has a damaging impact on the economy and creates more pressure on the NHS.
“The key to solving this is prevention. There is no quick
fix, but we need to see a real focus from the Government on investment in
preventing poor health caused by work. This includes equipping small and
medium-sized businesses with the awareness, resources and tools they need for
health and safety management and to invest in prevention, risk management and
early intervention around occupational health.”
The figures, published by the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE), cover the period from April 2023 to the end of March 2024. Of the 1.7
million people suffering work-related ill health, 776,000 related to stress,
depression or anxiety, causing 16.4 million lost working days. Meanwhile,
543,000 related to a musculoskeletal disorder, causing 7.8 million lost working
days. Of all these people, 609,000 of had a new case of poor health, the rest
being existing conditions.
In the same period, 138 people were killed in a workplace
accident, with 604,000 sustaining a non-fatal injury. The new figures also
reveal that the cost of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill
health in 2022-23 was £21.6 billion, up from £20.7 billion the previous year.
Ruth added: “While Britain does have one of the strongest
health and safety systems, supported by the Health and Safety at Work Act –
which is 50 years old this year – it is clear there is still much work to do to
prevent harm at work.
“No one should have their health or safety compromised by
the work they do. Now is the time to seek to strengthen our systems, to better
protect people at work. Fewer workplace accidents and cases of work-related ill
health helps people to work and to thrive at work. It also boosts the bottom
line of businesses and can contribute to reduced NHS waiting lists while
supporting the economy.”
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