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This blog post is an executive summary of a recent report published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) covering Public administration and defence; compulsory social security statistics in Great Britain for the year 2022. The report provides key insights and statistics on work-related health and safety issues within this sector. Following are key findings from the report.
1. 128,000 Workers Suffering from Work-Related Ill-Health
An estimated 128,000 workers were suffering from work-related ill-health, new or long-standing, in public administration and defence; compulsory social security (page 4, source: LFS estimated annual average 2019/20-2021/22). The trend showed signs of increasing in the years preceding the coronavirus pandemic.
2. One Fatal Injury to a Worker in 2021/22
There was one fatal injury to a worker in the public administration and defence; compulsory social security sector in 2021/22 (page 4, source: RIDDOR, 2021/22).
3. 36,000 Non-Fatal Injuries to Workers
An annual average of 36,000 non-fatal injuries to workers was reported in the public administration and defence sector, averaged across 2019/20-2021/22 (page 5, source: LFS, estimated annual average 2019/20-2021/22).
4. The Sector Accounts for 7% of the Workforce in Great Britain
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security represents 7% of the total workforce in Great Britain (page 6, source: Annual Population Survey, 2021).
5. 63% of Ill Health Cases were Due to Stress, Depression, or Anxiety
About 63% of all work-related ill health cases in this sector were due to stress, depression, or anxiety (page 7, source: LFS, estimated annual average 2019/20-2021/22).
6. 58,000 Workers Suffered from Illness due to the Coronavirus Pandemic
An estimated number of 58,000 workers suffered from a work-related illness caused or made worse by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic (page 9, source: LFS annual estimate 2021/22).
7. 24,000 Cases of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
About 24,000 workers suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders, which constituted 18% of all ill health cases in this sector (page 10, source: LFS, estimated annual average 2019/20-2021/22).
8. 80,000 Cases of Work-Related Stress, Depression or Anxiety
An estimated 80,000 work-related cases of stress, depression, or anxiety were reported. This constituted 63% of all ill health in this sector (page 11, source LFS, estimated annual average 2019/20-2021/22).
9. Total Economic Cost of £1,480 Million
The total economic cost of workplace injury and ill health in public administration and defence; compulsory social security was estimated at £1,480 million (page 15, source: HSE Costs to Britain, 2019/20).
10. 3.1 Million Working Days Lost
The sector lost around 3.1 million working days per year due to workplace injury (15%) and work-related illness (85%) (page 16, source: LFS, estimated annual average 2018/19-2019/20, 2021/22).
Conclusion
The HSE report reveals a significant impact of work-related ill health, particularly stress, depression, and anxiety on public administration and defence; compulsory social security sector. It also highlights the economic cost and loss of work days due to these issues. The insights call for targeted interventions and policies to improve workplace health and safety in this segment and reduce the economic burden associated with it.
