Why we really are a bit sick of work

May 29 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

PEOPLE in the North East have more cases of work-related illnesses than anywhere else in the country, a study has shown.

For the second year running the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the region had the highest rates of illness caused or made worse by their jobs.

It also found that the North East had the highest number of work-related injuries and cases of musculoskeletal/ back problems. However the region reported the lowest levels of ill health caused by stress, depression or anxiety.

The figures have been released as the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) launched an awareness campaign to encourage employers to increase levels of physical activity for their workers.

The Labour Force Survey, released yesterday, questioned 50,000 workers nationwide to gain a view of work-related illness and workplace injury in the last 12 months.

It showed that within England, the North East had the highest prevalence rates with 6,100 cases per 100,000 people ever employed.

It also reported the highest number of work-related injuries with 1,400 per 100,000 workers

David Snowball, HSE regional director for the North East and Yorkshire, said: “We recognise that the picture does not look good in the North East.

“Employers have to take responsibility for the health and safety of their employees and we use a range of methods to ensure that they are familiar with their responsibilities.

“In addition to our inspection and investigation work, we hold safety and health awareness days focusing on specific industries or hazards including agriculture, chemical handling, healthcare, manufacturing and retail.

“But we also prosecute those employers whose standards come up short and whose failures mean that their employees are exposed to health risks that should be properly managed.”

Kevin Rowan, regional secretary of the TUC, said: “Crucially, this is a major concern for the region as that’s likely to make more people unfit for work. But it is also a personal cost to the workers who are suffering.

“It’s a serious concern both in terms of social and economic.

“As a region we don’t have the best health and well-being and there’s a lot more we can do.”

Tom Brennan, regional organiser of the GMB union, said that employees needed to have a work-life balance.

He said: “If you think back to heavy industry then people enjoyed going to work as it was team work and community spirit, rather than the pressure there is on the individual now.”