A disease or illness suffered by an employee as a result of working on an industrial process or in harmful working conditions. Benefits are payable by the state under the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1985 as amended. The victim may also be able to sue the employer for negligence or breach of statute. Prescribed diseases include asbestosis and mesothelioma; silicosis (mines and quarries); byssinosis (respiratory, cotton); tenosyniovitis (conveyor work, pottery); lead poisoning (glass, scrap metal, lead); cancer; dermatitis; occupational deafness including tinnitus.

A social security benefit payable tax free to employees who either (a) suffered an accidental injury arising in the course of work; or (b) contracted a prescribed disease or prescribed injury while working. It is a no fault compensation scheme running parallel with any rights the injured party may have against his employer. Benefits include the industrial injuries disablement benefit payable for loss of capacity through an industrial accident or prescribed disease. Payments are based on the percentage disablement caused by the injury, e.g. 40 per cent disablement attracts £46.72 per week (2003).

Low value life and savings policies issued by industrial life offices and friendly societies. Premiums were formerly collected at regular intervals, e.g. weekly/fortnightly, from the homes of the policyholders. Premiums are now generally paid by monthly bank mandate.