Health and Safety Executive

Table TYPESEX2E - 2006/07

Estimated incidence of self-reported illness caused or made worse by work, by type of illness and gender, for people ever employed.

Gender Type of complaint Sample cases Estimated incidence (thousands) for people ever employed
central 95% C.I.
lower upper
Males Bone, joint or muscle problem 220 125 108 142
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 96 57 45 68
  mainly affects the lower limbs 40 20 14 27
  mainly affects the back 84 48 38 58
Breathing or lung problem 24 14 8 19
Skin problem 7 * * *
Hearing problem 9 * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 185 105 89 120
Headache and/or eyestrain 6 * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 22 12 7 17
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 23 14 8 20
Other type of complaint 69 42 32 53
Total 565 324 297 351
Females Bone, joint or muscle problem 222 122 106 138
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 108 59 47 70
  mainly affects the lower limbs 23 13 7 18
  mainly affects the back 91 51 40 61
Breathing or lung problem 7 * * *
Skin problem 13 * * *
Hearing problem 2 * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 262 141 123 158
Headache and/or eyestrain 14 * * *
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 7 * * *
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 29 17 10 23
Other type of complaint 38 20 14 27
Total 594 323 296 349
All persons Bone, joint or muscle problem 442 247 223 270
  mainly affects the upper limbs or neck 204 115 99 131
  mainly affects the lower limbs 63 33 25 41
  mainly affects the back 175 99 84 113
Breathing or lung problem 31 17 11 24
Skin problem 20 11 6 16
Hearing problem 11 * * *
Stress, depression or anxiety 447 245 222 268
Headache and/or eyestrain 20 11 6 16
Heart disease/attack, other circulatory system 29 16 10 21
Infectious disease (virus, bacteria) 52 31 22 39
Other type of complaint 107 63 51 75
Total 1159 646 608 685

Notes:

* Sample numbers too small to provide reliable estimates.

Figures in italics are estimates based on fewer than 30 sample cases.

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Updated 15.09.09