Occupational ill health costing UK economy about 28 million working days a year

Occupational ill health is costing the UK economy around 28 million working days a year, according to a new report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

The Self-Reported Work-Related Illness Survey 2004-05 shows that an estimated two million UK workers suffer ill health, which they believe was caused or made worse by work.

Musculoskeletal disorders are the biggest cause of work-related ill health, with about one million people suffering disorders they believe was caused or made worse by work.

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Stress is the next biggest complaint, with around 500,000 people estimated to be suffering work-related stress.

Geoffrey Podger, HSE chief executive, said: “This is a huge loss to the British economy. HSE is working with employers, trade unions and other government departments to bring this down.”