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Executive Summary of the HSE Report on Work-Related Respiratory Disease Statistics in Great Britain, 2023
This article provides an executive summary of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report on work-related respiratory disease statistics in Great Britain. The report, published on 22nd November 2023, offers an in-depth analysis of the various respiratory diseases, excluding asbestos-related disease, asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and pneumoconiosis. This summary will highlight key findings from the report, focusing on specific facts and statistics.
1. Average of 7 New Cases of Occupational Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis Annually Over the Last Decade
According to the HSE report, there has been an average of 7 new cases of occupational Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis (EAA) assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) each year over the last decade (2013 to 2022), with about 15% of total cases being among women (Source: Table IIDB01, HSE).
2. Average of 6 Deaths Annually Due to Farmer's Lung Over the Last Decade
The report also states that there has been an average of 6 deaths where farmer's lung (or a similar condition) was recorded as the underlying cause each year over the last decade (Source: Table DC01, HSE).
3. Estimated 30 New Cases of Occupational EAA Per Year Over the Last 10 Years
Reports by chest physicians participating in the SWORD scheme within The Health and Occupation Reporting (THOR) network have estimated an average of 30 new cases of occupational EAA per year over the last 10 years, of which 30% were among women (Source: Table THORR01, HSE).
4. 5 Cases of Byssinosis Assessed for IIDB Over the Last Decade
There have been 5 cases of Byssinosis, an illness associated with exposure to cotton dust, assessed for IIDB over the last decade (Source: Table IIDB01, HSE).
5. 9 Deaths Due to Byssinosis Over the Last Decade
The number of deaths per year with byssinosis recorded as the underlying cause of death has been low with a total of 9 for the decade (Source: Table DC01, HSE).
6. Average of 11 Cases of Allergic Rhinitis Per Year During 2015-2019
The annual number of cases of Allergic Rhinitis assessed for IIDB has fallen over the ten years prior to the coronavirus pandemic with an average of 11 cases per year during 2015-2019 (Source: Table IIDB02, HSE).
7. Increase in Allergic Rhinitis Cases in 2022
There were 20 cases of Allergic Rhinitis in 2022 compared to 10 cases in 2021, indicating an increase in the number of cases (Source: Table IIDB02, HSE).
8. Official Statistics Accreditation
The report's statistics are accredited official statistics, regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), and were independently reviewed by the OSR in 2013 (Source: HSE).
9. HSE's Responsibility for Compliance
The HSE is responsible for maintaining compliance with the standards expected by National Statistics. National Statistics status can be removed at any point when the highest standards are not maintained (Source: HSE).
10. Availability of Additional Data Tables
Additional data tables related to the report can be found on the HSE's official website (Source: HSE).
Conclusion
The HSE report provides comprehensive data on work-related respiratory diseases in Great Britain. This executive summary has highlighted the key findings, offering a concise overview of the report's content. The HSE continues to monitor and report on these diseases, ensuring compliance with national statistical standards.
