Facts & Evidence

Health & Safety Statistics

HSE Statistics Report (2023)

Key figures for Great Britain:

1.8 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which 672,000 are new cases.
473,000 people suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders, of which 132,000 are new cases.
13,000 deaths estimated to be linked to past exposure at work (primarily to chemicals or dust), of which 2268 deaths were diadnosed as Mesothelioma.
875,000 workers are suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, of which 338,000 are new cases.
31.5 millions working days were lost due to occupational ill-health, of which 17.1 million were due to stress, depression or anxiety, and 6.6 millions were due to MSDs.

More Information available on the HSE website.

August 2024: Brand New Research from Vitality

Burnout Impacts 1 in 8 Construction Workers

Across the UK, depression, fatigue and burnout have the greatest negative impact on productivity, and recent research conducted by Vitality found that this is particularly prominant in the construction sector. The research revealed that; 13% of workers have experienced burnout, 6% of construction workers suffer from depression, 18% have problems getting quality sleep, and 44% reported feeling ‘fatigued’ or ‘very tired’ at least once per week.

With these kind of figures, it is not surprising that 29% of construction workers believe their employer should play a more active role in helping them maintain their health and wellbeing.

Physical health still presents a risk to employee productivity

While mental health issues have the greatest impact on productivity, physical health issues continue to contribute to lost time in the workplace, and their impact cannot be overlooked.

Across all industries, poor diet (not eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day), musculoskeletal conditions and a lack of physical activity increased lost time by 14%, 54% and 28% respectively.

In the construction industry, 56% of workers eat a poor diet, 21% are considered obese (BMI>30), 50% have at least two types of musculoskeletal conditions and 37% are physically inactive (<150 minutes of activity per week).

Only 1 in 4 UK employees use health initiatives offered by their employer

Despite the clear correlation between health and productivity, it is clear that employees in the construction industry do not feel their workplace culture adequately supports their wellbeing. 29% of construction workers believe their employer should play a more active role in helping them maintain their wellbeing.

Efforts are being made by companies to address this issue, with employers offering an average of 47 'interventions' for tackling health issues. However, only 25% of individuals surveyed reported using the measures offered by their employer.

The benefits of engaging with health interventions are evident. The survey found that 85% of those who use the health initiatives provided by their employer find them useful.

Read more about the report > Britain's Healthiest Workplace Report

Learn more about Vitality and their Business Health Insurance.