Millions of people could be at risk of issues because of their work
Andrew Nuttall U35 Lifestyle Writer
11:33, 22 Jul 2026
Dr Amir Khan claims it’s these everyday workers he is seeing in his GP surgery(Image: ITV)
You don’t need to be dangling off scaffolding or crawling through a mine to end up with job-related health trouble, according to experts. A TV doctor says it’s the “normal” jobs we all shrug off as safe that are quietly filling up the waiting room.
Dr Amir Khan, a familiar face from ITV shows including Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, claims he’s seeing a steady stream of patients whose symptoms often line up with their everyday routines rather than dramatic on-the-job dangers. In his opinion, the culprits are often basic, and millions of jobs expose people to them.
What are the common jobs that risk health issues?
From being on your feet for hours, staying stuck in the same positions day after day and not taking enough breaks are some of the common issues that could lead to temporary pain and lasting health conditions. Office workers, drivers and service staff are among the groups he flags up.
He also stresses that people aren’t to blame. He said these workers are not “doing anything wrong” — but the pattern of modern work can grind people down in ways they don’t spot until problems flare up.
He said: “When people think about ‘dangerous’ jobs, they often think of things like coal mining, construction or working with asbestos. But as a GP, I see something else every single day, I see invisible everyday jobs making people ill.”
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If you’re getting constant headaches, stiff joints, or you’re shattered every evening, don’t just write it off as “part of the job”. Repeating symptoms are often your body waving a red flag.
Dr Khan highlights school staff as one group pushed to the limit, saying many “don’t get enough time to drink water or even go to the toilet” during the day. He said: “[This] can contribute to headaches, dehydration, and it can even make recurrent urinary tract infections more likely in some people.”
Drivers — from taxis to buses and delivery vans — are another big one, he argues, because they can spend “hours sitting still”. He links that kind of shift to back pain and poorer metabolic health, plus a higher risk of heart disease. At the other end, workers like hairdressers who spend “hours on their feet” can end up with sore necks, shoulders, backs and feet.
He said caregivers and nurses spend their days lifting, bending, twisting, and helping others, which increases their risk of musculoskeletal injuries. On the other hand, office workers who sit for long periods, focus on screens, skip breaks, and rarely go outside can experience negative effects on both their physical and mental well-being.
Teachers often struggle to take proper breaks during the school day(Image: Getty)
He also points out that shift patterns can be as punishing as the task itself. He said to consider the people in health care or those who work shifts. They often endure long hours, changing night shifts, emotional pressure, and skipped meals. “It’s clear that shift work throws off your internal clock, impacts your sleep, and over time, has been linked to an increased risk of health issues like heart disease, type two diabetes, and obesity.”
And also mentions unpaid carers – a role that often isn’t treated like a “job” but can still hack away at people’s wellbeing. The doctor said: “It’s not always recognised as a job, but it is one of the hardest ones. Carers have high rates of stress, anxiety, depression and long-term health problems because they’re often putting everyone else’s needs before their own.”
Unpaid carers can feel guilty taking a breather – even when they’re running on fumes. But burnout doesn’t help them or the person they’re looking after.
Drivers could be at risk becuase of how long they spend sitting down(Image: Getty Images)
What the doctor says to do about it
Dr Khan acknowledges most people can’t just walk away from work, because bills don’t pay themselves. His advice is to spot what your job demands physically, then counter it where possible.
Move more if you sit all day, protect muscles and joints if you’re always on your feet, and, if you do shifts, prioritise sleep. He also stressed the basics – eat, drink and actually take your breaks.