Physical Conditions in UK Workplaces
Every employer has both a legal obligation and a duty of care to ensure that an employee’s work environment is safe and fit for purpose. Physical health and wellbeing covers a wide range of issues and conditions, which we’ve touched upon in this summary overview. For further information, please see the references below.
In the UK, companies often report various physical health conditions that employees commonly experience. Some of the top physical health conditions reported by companies include:
1. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): These are conditions that affect the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. 1 in 10 employees reported having an MSD and the second highest cause attributed to sickness absence. 28.2 million working days lost in the UK per year. Back pain, neck pain, and repetitive strain injuries are common examples. MSDs can result from poor ergonomics, repetitive motions, or sustained postures in the workplace.
Employers have a responsibility to take the following into consideration in order to achieve best practice for physical wellbeing:
- Support provisions and adaptations for employees with disabilities
- Manual handling training
- Preemptive action around workplace injury prevention
- Workstation assessments looking at display screen equipment (DSE)
- Ergonomic assessments to promote comfort and correct posture
- Providing proper workstation equipment and set up for employees who working from home
- Regular reviews of training and assessments
2. Mental Health Issues: While mental health is not exclusively physical, it often manifests in physical symptoms and impacts overall wellbeing. Conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression are prevalent among employees and can have significant effects on productivity, absenteeism, and morale. Proving mental health support services such as counselling, stress management techniques, and flexibility with work practices are essential. Creating an understanding and supportive workplace culture can also help employees feel that they are respected and valued as individuals.
3. Cardiovascular Diseases: Conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease and stroke are also significant concerns. Risk factors such as sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, shift working (particularly night shifts), working with the arms in an elevated position and frequent physical and/or mental stress can contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Employers can help to promote better health by providing healthy food and drink options, encouraging regular breaks and movement, offering varied work activities, helping with stress management and rotating shift patterns.
4. Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: Obesity, along with related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, is a growing health issue in the UK. Sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, and stress can contribute to weight gain and metabolic disorders among employees. Employees who are seated for long periods of time, such as desk based workers or drivers, as well as those who are time poor, such as healthcare professionals, are particularly susceptible - a lack of movement and poor food/drink choices are commonplace here. Similarly to Point 3 above, employers can help to promote better health by providing healthy food and drink options, encouraging regular breaks and movement, offering varied work activities, helping with stress management and rotating shift patterns. It’s important to allow employees to effectively nourish and rest their mind and body.
5. Respiratory Conditions: Respiratory problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can impact employee health and productivity, particularly in environments with poor air quality or exposure to pollutants. Employees who work in Trade or Manual professions where materials and chemicals are frequently airborne are at higher risk. Providing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilation, tools and breaks is key.
6. Fatigue and Sleep Disorders: Insufficient sleep and chronic fatigue can impair cognitive function, mood, and physical performance. Factors such as long working hours, shift work, and high job demands can contribute to sleep disturbances and fatigue among employees. Offering courses around sleep hygiene and routine may be something to consider, as well as stress management techniques.
Addressing these physical health conditions requires a multifaceted approach, by promoting healthier lifestyles, providing ergonomic work environments, offering access to healthcare resources and implementing wellness programs focused on prevention and management. Additionally, creating a supportive workplace culture that prioritises employee wellbeing can help mitigate the impact of these health issues on individuals and organisations.
References:
HSE statistics for work-related ill health and occupational disease in Great Britain
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/index.htm
Musculoskeletal Disorders
https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/
Health Matters: Health and Work
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-health-and-work/health-matters-health-and-work
Mental Health at Work: statistics
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/mental-health-work-statistics
Top Mental Health Conditions in UK Workplaces
https://bodymechanics.co.uk/mental-health-in-uk-workplaces/
At Body Mechanics, we help you create health and wellbeing programmes which are effective and fit for purpose. We want to help you create a workplace where health, wellbeing and happiness are ingrained in your company culture.
If you’d like to discuss how to go about developing and implementing a health and wellbeing programme and/or a health and wellbeing framework, please get in touch. We’re happy to help.
enquiries@bodymechanics.co.uk