Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Statistics
The latest survey of self-reported work-related illness (SWI) carried out in 2006/07 estimated that, in the North East, 112 000 people suffered from an illness which they believe was caused or made worse by their current or past work (Table WRIGOR1E). The associated prevalence rate of 6100 per 100 000 people (6.1%) ever employed was statistically significantly higher 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 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 (6100 per 100 000 people - 6.1%), 2004/05 (5700 per 100 000 people - 5.7%) and 2001/02 (5500 per 100 000 people - 5.5%), but was statistically significantly lower than the rate in 2003/04 (7400 per 100 000 people - 7.4%).
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 the corresponding rates in 2004/05 and 2001/02, but was statistically significantly lower than in 2003/04. The rate 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, 2003/04 and 2001/02.
In 2006/07, the North East 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 those in 2005/06 (1800 per 100 000 people – 1.8%), 2004/05 (1800 per 100 000 people – 1.8%), 2003/04 (2200 per 100 000 people – 2.2%) and 2001/02 (2000 per 100 000 people – 2.0%).
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 North East are substantially above the national average.
In 2006/07, there were 5 fatal injuries to workers in the North East, 1 319 reported major injuries to employees and 5 473 over 3 day injuries to employees. There were 5 fatal and 717 non-fatal injuries to members of the public (See table REGINJ [Excel 3.6mb] 
).
In the North East in 2006/07, the rate per 100 000 employees was 124.5 for fatal and major injuries, and 515.3 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 fell by 1% compared to an increase of 2% in Great Britain as a whole. Over 3 day injuries to employees fell by 15% compared to a 13% fall in Great Britain. Non-fatal injuries to members of the public increased by 19%, compared to an increase of 22% in Great Britain.
The Services industries accounted for approximately 50% to 63% 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 (256.3).
The Services industries accounted for approximately 56% to 67% of over 3 day injuries to employees in each year over the six-year period. In 2006/07, the Manufacturing industry had the highest rate of over 3 day injuries to employees in the North East (1012.8).
Reported injuries data are also available for counties and local authorities within the North East 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 the North East was 1400 per 100 000 workers (1.4%) in 2005/06 (three-year average), statistically significantly higher 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 the North East was 1.9 million. This equates to an average annual loss of an estimated 2.0 days per worker, similar (not statistically significantly different) to the rates of 1.7 days in both 2005/06 and 2004/05 and 2.7 days in 2003/04.
Workplace injuries and work-related illness accounted for an estimated 0.3 million and 1.5 million working days lost (full-day equivalent) respectively in 2006/07, with corresponding rates of 0.33 and 1.7 days per worker.
The injury rate was of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to that of 0.38 days in 2005/06 and to the corresponding rates of 0.44 days in 2004/05 and 0.57 days in 2003/04.
The ill health rate was also of a similar order (not statistically significantly different) to that of 1.4 days in 2005/06, and to the corresponding rates of 1.2 days in 2004/05 and 2.1 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 61 offences prosecuted by all HSE directorates (excluding Railways) in the North East, 52 of which led to a conviction. The average fine per conviction was £4,827, an increase on the previous year (£3,381). In 2005/06, there were 8 offences prosecuted by Local Authorities in the North East, all of which led to a conviction. The average fine per conviction was £2,188, a fall on the previous year (£3,833).
