Workplace Health

Every workplace has health risks - website image

Introduction

Workplace health impacts every worker. Ill health caused or made worse by work can stay hidden for long periods and often manifests itself years later when the outcome, in many cases, is having to live with the consequences.

Workplace ill health is preventable. No one in Northern Ireland should develop ill health simply because of a job choice.

HSENI's Corporate Plan for 2023-2028 has identified three workplace ill health priorities, namely:

Following on from the Workplace Health campaign in 2025, HSENI continue their focus, aimed at driving the occupational health message home, raising awareness of the main workplace health concerns, the impact they can have, and the need for appropriate controls.

Important information: Every workplace has health risks - Find out how to reduce them.

For more specific information view our Workplace health topic pages listed below.

Overview of work-related ill health for Northern Ireland

Managing the risk to health in every profession is essential. Some of the most significant occupational health risks arise from exposure to common but harmful substances such as asbestos, silica, flour and other dusts, along with chemicals, gases and fumes that are present in many of our workplaces.

Poor management of health risks in the workplace ruins and costs lives.

Human cost - Average work-related illness deaths per year in Northern Ireland

Every year in Northern Ireland it is estimated that on average over 300 people die following exposure to substances because of a previous work activity, and thousands more are left living with serious and debilitating health conditions.

Occupational cancer - Average deaths per year:

Mesothelioma (Asbestos) - 46

Lung cancer (Asbestos) – 46

Lung cancer (Silica) - 20

Lung cancer (Other) - 25

Lung / bladder cancer (Diesel exhaust) - 15

Lung / bladder cancer (Mineral oils) - 15

Other cancers - 35

Occupational lung disease - Average deaths per year:

Asbestosis (Asbestos) - 7

COPD (Dusts, gases, vapours and fumes) - 120

Other human cost

Whilst occupational cancers and respiratory diseases are all too common, not all work-related illnesses are fatal. Some can lead to employees living with debilitating conditions from exposure to hazardous substances, noise, and vibration, or due to unsuitable working arrangements.

There are several other conditions that can seriously affect our quality of life, including musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and mental ill health which can inhibit people from leading normal lives.

MSDs remain a leading cause of work-related ill health. In 2024-25, an estimated 19,000 people in Northern Ireland experienced work-related MSDs affecting areas of the body such as the lower back, shoulders, neck, wrists and hands.

Mental ill-health, including work-related stress, can affect every one of us. Estimated figures suggest that 14,000 people in Northern Ireland suffered from stress, depression or anxiety caused or made worse by work in 2024-25.

Estimated financial cost of work-related injuries and ill health

Work-related ill health also comes with a significant price. The latest 2023-24 estimates indicate that work-related ill health costs Northern Ireland society over £447 million in a single year, with the combined cost of workplace injuries and ill health estimated at around £647 million.

Fatal injuries – 4.6% (£30m)

Non-fatal injuries – 26.2% (£170m)

Ill health – 69.2% – (£447m)

Estimates also suggest that there were approximately

660,000 working days lost due to work-related illness in

Northern Ireland during 2024-25.

While the financial costs to society can be estimated, the

human suffering caused by work-related ill health cannot be quantified.

HSENI Workplace Health Statistics and Analysis

HSENI has produced several 'Workplace health statistics and analysis for Northern Ireland' publications, illustrating the potential extent of workplace ill health in Northern Ireland.

They can be viewed and downloaded via the following links:

2026

HSENI Workplace Health Statistics and Analysis booklet https://bit.ly/4cDePDX

HSENI Workplace Health Statistics and Analysis poster https://bit.ly/3SxEasc

2025

HSENI Workplace Health Statistics and Analysis booklet

Workplace Health Resources

HSENI is committed to providing simple, practical advice regarding work-related health matters to employers and employees.

HSENI has developed a range of workplace health resources designed to illustrate how health can be harmed by a lack of appropriate measures to control risks at work and to help employers and workers identify effective control measures.

These resources assist in identifying measures needed to protect workers, colleagues and others whose health may be affected by work activities.

The measures also help protect the health of a business, by ensuring that employees remain in work and do not develop ill health as a result of a job that they are employed to do.

A series of workplace health topic pages is also included to give further practical information.

You can also Contact Us for further advice and guidance on any work related health queries.

Workplace Health Campaign Videos

View our Workplace Health Campaign videos relating to our three key workplace ill heath priorities below:

Occupational Lung Disease - Exposure to Dust

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) - Manual Handling

Occupational Cancer - Exposure to Chemicals

Workplace Health Campaign Social Media Shorts

You can also watch the Workplace Health Campaign social media shorts at the following link on our website:

Workplace Health Campaign social media shorts

Workplace Health Campaign Posters

To view and download our Workplace Health Campaign posters relating to various occupational health topics and specific industry sectors, please see the link below:

Workplace Health Campaign posters

Workplace Health Campaign Galleries

HSENI has produced a photo gallery showcasing our attendance at various events, roadshows and exhibitions to promote our Workplace Health Campaign.

To view these images please see the following link:

Workplace Health Campaign event gallery

Sector specific occupational health inspection proformas and resources

Below you will find occupational health inspection proformas and additional resources available for various industries:

All industries:

Managing work-related stress and mental well-being resources

Construction:

Extractives, Mining, Quarrying and Waste:

Food Production:

Occupational Health Initiative 2025-26 - Food Manufacturers

Manufacturing:

Workplace Health Campaign - Noise, vibrations and hazardous emissions

Machinery manufacturers are being urged to reduce noise, vibrations and emissions of hazardous material and substances as part of HSENI’s Workplace Health Campaign.

For more information and to read the full article, please see the following link:

Workplace Health Campaign - Noise, vibrations and hazardous emissions

Workplace health topic webpages