In a concerning revelation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) released its annual statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries for the year 2022/23. The report disclosed that nearly two million workers in Great Britain reported suffering ill-health due to their work, with stress, depression, or anxiety accounting for approximately half of these cases.
According to the HSE, out of the 1.8 million workers experiencing work-related ill health, a staggering 875,000 cited stress, depression, or anxiety as a direct result of their work.
While this figure represents a slight decrease from the previous year's level of 914,000, it remains notably higher than pre-pandemic levels.
In addition to the human toll, the economic impact is substantial, with an estimated 35.2 million working days lost in 2022/23 due to self-reported work-related ill health or injury.
Corey Edwards, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) emphasized the importance of adopting a prevention-first approach. Edwards urged employers to prioritise a people-focused work culture that actively incorporates psychosocial risk management strategies.
"IOSH continues to advocate a prevention-first approach, encouraging employers to prioritize a people-focused work culture that proactively adopts psychosocial risk management strategies," stated Edwards.
He added, "Every £1 invested by employers in mental health yields a £5 return, with increased productivity, reduced staff turnover, and prevention of absenteeism and presenteeism. Investment in occupational safety and health must therefore not be misperceived as an unnecessary cost."
Addressing recent governmental initiatives, Edwards highlighted the need for equal support to keep people in work. Despite the Chancellor's announcement in the Autumn statement regarding efforts to reintegrate individuals with long-term illnesses into the workforce, Edwards emphasized that equal support for maintaining people in their jobs is imperative.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the pandemic, the spotlight on mental health in the workplace has never been more critical. The call for proactive measures and a holistic approach to occupational safety and health is resonating, as stakeholders recognize the far-reaching impacts on both individuals and the broader economy.
Economic impact
HSE’s latest statistics also revealed the impact work-related ill health and workplace injuries are having on Britain’s economic performance.
In 2021/22, the estimated annual costs of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health reached £20.7 billion, representing a £1.9 billion increase compared with 2019/20.
The figures also showed that 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23, while 561,000 workers sustained a self-reported non-fatal injury in the workplace during the same period.
HSE chief executive Sarah Albon said, “Preventing or tackling work-related stress can provide significant benefits to employees, improving their experience of work and their overall health; and also to employers including increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and reduced staff turnover.”
According to a recent report from Deloitte, the cost of poor mental health to UK employers reached up to £45bn. This figure is made up of absence costs of around £7bn, presenteeism costs ranging from £27bn to £29bn and turnover costs of around £9bn. The World Health Organization estimates poor mental health costs the global economy US$1 trillion annually in lost productivity.
EC Safety Solutions deliver various First Aid for Mental Health Courses
Courses on offer are:
Level 1 Award in Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health in the workplace - 1/2 day.
Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health in the workplace - 1 day.
Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health in the workplace - 2 days.
Various Mental Health eLearning Awareness Courses
Contact Steve W on 08001930246 for more info on the courses available
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