Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Statistics
The latest survey of self-reported work-related illness (SWI) carried out in 2006/07 estimated that, in London, 223 000 people suffered from an illness which they believed was caused or made worse by their current or past work (See Table WRIGOR1E). The associated prevalence rate of 4300 per 100 000 people (4.3%) ever employed was statistically significantly lower than those for England (5000 per 100 000 people - 5.0%) and Great Britain (5100 per 100 000 people – 5.1%).
Comparing this rate with the corresponding rates from earlier SWI surveys indicates that the estimated prevalence rate in 2006/07 was of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to the rates in 2005/06 (3900 per 100 000 people - 3.9%), 2003/04 (4100 per 100 000 people - 4.1%), and 2001/02 (4700 per 100 000 people – 4.7%), but was statistically significantly higher than in 2004/05 (3500 per 100 000 people – 3.5%).
More detailed prevalence data by type of illness are not yet available from SWI06/07. However, earlier SWI surveys indicate that the prevalence rate for musculoskeletal disorders (See Table MSDGOR1E) in 2005/06 was of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to those in 2004/05, 2003/04 and 2001/02. The rate in 2005/06 for stress, depression or anxiety (See SWI Table STRGOR1E) was of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to the corresponding rates in 2004/05 and 2003/04, but was statistically significantly lower than the rate in 2001/02.
In 2006/07, London had an estimated incidence rate of work-related illness of 1800 per 100 000 people (1.8%) who worked in the last 12 months (See Table WRIGOR2W12). This rate was of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to the rates in 2005/06 (1600 per 100 000 people – 1.6%), 2004/05 (1400 per 100 000 people – 1.4%) and 2003/04 (1700 per 100 000 people – 1.7%), but was statistically significantly lower than the rate in 2001/02 (2400 per 100 000 people – 2.4%).
Regional data is also available for the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma (see Table MESO05). Regional differences reflect the historic distribution of asbestos using industries, especially shipbuilding, railway engineering and the production of asbestos insulation products. Mesothelioma death rates for the London region are similar for males and higher for females compared to the national average.
In 2006/07 there were 19 fatal injuries to workers in London, 2 626 reported major injuries to employees and 12 050 over 3 day injuries to employees. There were 9 fatal and 1 521 non-fatal injuries to members of the public (See table REGINJ [Excel 3.6mb] 
).
In London in 2006/07, the rate per 100 000 employees was 65.1 for fatal and major injuries and 297.2 for over 3 day injuries, compared with Great Britain averages of 107.0 and 422.6 respectively. However, differences between regional injuries rates are strongly influenced by the composition of employment in regions, for example, the mix of industries and occupations (See table REGRATE [Excel 518KB] ).
Over the period 2001/02 to 2006/07 major injuries to employees increased by 6%, compared to an increase of 2% in Great Britain as a whole. Over 3 day injuries to employees fell by 4%, compared to a fall of 13% in Great Britain. Non-fatal injuries to members of the public increased by 9%, compared to an increase of 22% in Great Britain.
The Services industries accounted for approximately 65% to 75% of fatal and major injuries to employees over the six-year period. In 2006/07 the highest rate of fatal and major injuries to employees was in the Construction industry (381.2).
The Services industries accounted for 80% to 87% of over 3 day injuries to employees in each year over the six-year period. In 2006/07 the highest rate of over 3 day injuries to employees was in the Construction industry (677.4).
Reported injuries data are also available for local authorities within London. These include estimated rates per 100 000 employees (see Technical note).
The injury figures above are based on reports under RIDDOR. HSE also places questions in the Labour Force Survey (LFS), asking people if they have suffered a workplace injury in the last year. Based on the Labour Force Survey (LFS), the rate of reportable non-fatal injury in London was 810 per 100 000 workers (0.81%) in 2005/06 (three-year average), statistically significantly lower than the average of 1100 per 100 000 workers (1.1%) for England (See Table lfsgor.htm).
Data from the 2006/07 LFS and SWI surveys indicate that the combined estimate of the number of working days lost (full-day equivalent) due to workplace injury and work-related ill health in London was 3.3 million. This equates to an average annual loss of an estimated 1.1 days per worker, similar (not statistically significantly different) to the rates in 2005/06 and 2003/04 (both 1.1 days) and 0.91 days in 2004/05.
Workplace injuries and work-related illness accounted for an estimated 0.4 million and 2.8 million working days lost (full-day equivalent) respectively in 2006/07, with corresponding rates of 0.15 and 0.92 days per worker.
The injury rate was of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to that of 0.19 days in 2005/06 and to the corresponding rates of 0.13 days in 2004/05 and 0.23 days in 2003/04.
The ill health rate was also of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to those of 0.88 days in 2005/06, 0.78 days in 2004/05 and 0.83 days in 2003/04 (See Table WDLGOR).
NB Enforcement statistics are presented separately for HSE and Local authorities. For HSE, historic data are presented for Field Operations Directorate only, i.e. excluding Railways Inspectorate (RI), Hazardous Installations Directorate (HID) and Nuclear Safety Directorate (NSD). In addition, 2005/06 data onwards are presented for all HSE Directorates excluding RI.
In 2006/07, there were 114 offences prosecuted by all HSE directorates (excluding Railways) in London, 63 of which led to a conviction. The average fine per conviction was £19,646, an increase on the previous year (£8,891). In 2005/06, there were 29 offences prosecuted by Local Authorities in London, all of which led to a conviction. The average fine per conviction was £4,328, an increase on the previous year (£3,213).
