In 2007/08 the prevalence rate of self-reported work-related ill-health in the health and social work was higher than for all industries (4.9% of people working in the last year vs. 3.4% for all industries).
Self-reported data indicates the prevalence rate of work-related stress and musculoskeletal disorders were higher in the health and social work industry group than for all industries in 2006/07. The THOR surveillance scheme data, 2005-2007, indicates incidence rates of stress and dermatitis are above the average for all industries.
An estimated 5.1 million days were lost to work related ill-health or injury within the Health and Social work industry group in 2007/08. This gives an estimated rate of 1.9 days lost per worker, higher than the rate for all industries.
The two main components of this industry grouping, human health activities and social work, show different trends in injury rates. Human health shows a fairly constant rate in reported major injuries and a falling tend in the reported over-3-day injuries rate over the last few years. Whereas, social work shows a rise in the reported major injuries rate, and in the most recent years a rise in reported over-3-day injuries rate following an earlier decline.
Relative to other industries, a higher proportion of reported injuries in the health and social work industry group were caused by acts of violence.
