Levels of work-related injury and sickness are at their highest since 2003-04, new figures show.

The results of the Health and Safety Executive's 2006-07 Labour Force Survey reveal that 36 million days were lost nationwide because of the problem, an average of 1.5 days per worker.

According to the report a total of 2.2 million people are suffering from an illness they believe was caused or made worse by their present or past occupation.

Musculoskeletal disorders at the most commonly reported conditions, account for half the total figure. Just over 500,000 people say they are suffering from stress, depression or anxiety brought on by their jobs.

One out of every 100 workers experienced a non-fatal, reportable injury at work during the period the study, the report added.

This equates to a total of 274,000 accidents, with the construction, manufacturing and transport sectors accounting for the majority of incidents.

According to research published by AXA and the Confederation of British Industry, revealed that the gap between public and private sector sickness rates is at a record high.

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