Surveillance of occupational and work-related diseases between 1993 and 1996 in an engineering company

There are established reporting schemes for some occupational and work-related illnesses but these schemes may underestimate the true incidence of such diseases. Not all cases may be referred to a participating physician and access to adequate diagnostic facilities are not always available. Collecting data directly from occupational health departments may overcome some problems related to under-reporting as they have good access to the entire working population within their company. The aim of this paper is to report the results from such a reporting scheme operated by a large multi-national engineering company during the period 1993-96. All UK sites of Lucas Industries (later LucasVarity) participated. A report form was completed by the occupational health department of each participating site each month. The report form gave abbreviated details of each case of occupational and work-related disease occurring at that site during the previous month. Forms were posted to a central office where the data was collated and analyzed. The incidence of respiratory diseases was broadly similar or slightly higher to that reported from other schemes. Musculoskeletal diseases were by far the most common category of disease reported. During a four year period of reporting the incidence of occupational and work-related diseases decreased overall by approximately 75%. As the reported incidence of respiratory disease was comparable with or slightly higher than that from other schemes, it appears that reporting schemes such as this can provide useful and accurate data. Musculoskeletal diseases are the most common type of disease attributed to work and should probably receive greater attention. The decrease in incidence seen in LucasVarity over time may reflect increased emphasis given to health and safety issues within the company during the reporting period.