The data, compiled by the HSE from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and other sources, also shows that there were around 555,000 non-fatal injuries to workers and 144 fatal injuries in 2017/18.
The Health and Safety at Work: summary statistics for GB 2018 report reveals that nearly 600,000 workers were suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety (new or long-standing) in 2017/18, while nearly 470,000 workers suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (new or long-standing).
In total, 30.7 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury, according to the HSE report, while there has also been no significant changes in the industries in which workers are most likely to be injured by their work, with construction and agriculture among the higher risk sectors.
HSE chair Martin Temple said: “These figures should serve as a reminder to us of the importance to manage risk and undertake good health and safety practice in the work place.
“Great Britain’s health and safety record is something we should all be proud of, but there is still much to be done to ensure that every worker goes home at the end of their working day safe and healthy.
“Collectively we must take responsibility to prevent these incidents that still affect too many lives every year and continue to all play our part in Helping Great Britain Work Well.”
Responding to the statistics, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Work-related stress is a growing epidemic. It’s time employers and the government took it more seriously.
“Warm words are not going to fix this problem. Managers need to do far more to reduce the causes of stress and support employees struggling to cope. This means tackling issues like excessive workloads and bullying in the office. Toxic workplaces are bad for staff and productivity."
Dr Carole Easton, chief executive of Young Women’s Trust, added: “Many young people, especially young women are facing huge pressures in the workplace and mental health concerns are skyrocketing.
“Low pay, insecure work and workplace inequalities are leaving young women struggling to make ends meet and impacting on their mental health. When we have surveyed young people, half of young women said their work has had a negative impact on their mental health.
“A concerted effort is needed from government and employers to provide young people with security and hope for the future, redress gender inequality at work and help manage the growing mental health crisis among young people.”
The full annual injury and ill-health statistics report can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/