As many as 77,000 people in the Republic were suffering from occupational illnesses in the 12 months to April 1999. A further 33,200 suffered workplace injuries initiated during the same period, according to estimates by the Central Statistics Office.

Some 54,400 of the total 77,000 who suffered occupational ill-health are still in the workplace, 19,800 are no longer economically active and 2,900 are unemployed. Not all work-related illnesses arose for the first time during the period.

Of the 33,200 people who sustained injuries at work during the 12-month period, 31,200 are still in employment, 1,400 are not economically active and 600 are unemployed.

The figures are based on a special module as yet unpublished from the quarterly national household survey for the second quarter (March, April and May) 1999. As many as 44 in every 1,000 people from the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector reported work-related illness. Close behind that sector, 43 in every 1,000 in the education and health sector suffered from work-related ill health.

In transport, storage and communication, the work-related illness rate was as high as 42 per 1,000.

Construction work-related illnesses were estimated at the relatively healthier 38 per 1,000. The public administration, defence and social security sector ranks at 33 work-related illnesses per 1,000.

However, construction rates highest for accidents. During the year ending last April, as many as 33 in every 1,000 construction workers were injured at work. The next most dangerous sector was agriculture, forestry and fishing where 28 in every 1,000 workers had an accident.

In other production industries including manufacturing, the injury rate was 26 per 1,000 workers.

Close behind that, 25 workers per 1,000 in the hotels and restaurants sector suffered work-related injuries, while the transport, storage and communication sector saw 24 injured for every 1,000 workers.

Other sectors were: public administration, defence and social security (16 per 1,000); education and health (15 per 1,000); wholesale and retail (12 per 1,000). The average workplace injury rate was 20 per 1,000.

The figures also show that during the same period, as many as 54,400 workers in employment reported occupational illnesses. Of these, as many as 28,100 were three or more days absent from the workplace as a result of their illness; 1,500 were absent for two days; 1,000 took one day off work, while 23,400 did not take any day off.

Of the 33,200 workplace injuries during the period, 16,600 workers took three or more days off due to the occupational injuries; 2,000 were absent for two days and 1,500 missed a day's work because of the injury. Some 8,400 of those injured did not take any day off work as a result of the injury.

Of 31,200 in employment who incurred a work-related injury in the previous 12 months, 23,200 took time off as a result. Of those who took time off, 18,200 later resumed normal duties; 2,300 resumed work but with a change of work, workplace or hours; 2,400 were not yet recovered and not working.

The CSO figures reveal for the first time the categories of workplace injuries and illnesses in the Republic.

Some 10,300 workers suffered sprains; 7,800 had cuts; 3,700 broke bones; 3,600 suffered contusion; 1,300 had burns; 300 got work-related infections; 200 injuries involved amputation; 100 workers suffered poisoning, gassing or asphyxiation.

Of the 54,400 suffering occupational illness, 22,600 had illnesses of the bone, joint or muscle; 12,700 suffered from work-related stress; 4,400 had breathing or lung problems; 2,400 had headache or eyestrain; 2,200 had infections; 2,100 developed skin problems; 1,900 had heart-related conditions and 900 suffered work-related hearing problems. The CSO figures show that of the 54,400 people reporting occupational illness, an estimated 29,700 say the illness was caused by their work, while 24,600 report it was made worse by their job.

Of the 54,400 reporting work-related illness, 43,400 needed to see a doctor, 31,400 needed time off and 26,700 lost more than three days at work.

Of the 31,200 injured at work, 27,400 needed to see a doctor, 23,400 needed time off work and 14,900 lost more than three day's work.

The total workforce for the second quarter of 1999 was 1,591,900.

jmarms@irish-times.ie