Workplace Health

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:

Launched in April 2025, HSENI's Workplace Health campaign is 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.

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:

Average work-related illness deaths per year in Northern Ireland

Mesothelioma (Asbestos) - 47
Lung cancer (Asbestos) - 47
Lung cancer (Silica) - 20
Lung cancer (Other) - 30
Lung / bladder cancer (Diesel exhaust) - 15
Lung / bladder cancer (Mineral oils) - 15
Other cancers - 20

Occupational lung disease - Average deaths per year:

Asbestosis (Asbestos) - 5
COPD (Dust gases, vapours, fumes) - 110

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 are a major cause of ill-health with an estimated 18,000 people in Northern Ireland suffering from conditions due to work affecting various parts of the body including 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 15,000 people in Northern Ireland suffered from stress, anxiety or depression, caused or made worse by work in 2023-24.

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

Estimated financial cost of work-related injuries and ill health

Work-related ill health also comes with a price, with estimates indicating the cost to Northern Ireland society at over £391 million in 2022-23.

Estimated cost to Northern Ireland of work-related injuries and ill health, 2022-23

Fatal injuries - 5.3% (£32.17m)

Non-fatal injuries - 30.2% (£183.31m)

Ill health - 64.5% (£391.52m)

Estimates also suggest that in 2023-24, there were 640,000 days lost due to work-related ill health in Northern Ireland.

While financial costs to society can be estimated, the cost of human suffering as a result of suffering work related ill health is unquantifiable.

HSENI Workplace Health Statistics and Analysis booklet

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

This booklet can be viewed and downloaded at the following link:

HSENI Workplace Health Statistics and Analysis booklet

Workplace Health Campaign Resources

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

As part of HSENI’s Workplace Health Campaign, 'Every workplace has health risks - Find out how to reduce them', the following resources have been designed to illustrate how health can be harmed by a lack of appropriate measures to control the risk at work.

The campaign resources will also and assist you in identifying the measures which need to be taken to protect your health, the health of your workers or colleagues, or others who may be affected by your work.

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

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 topic webpages