Citation

Hamalainen P, Takala J, Saarela KL. Safety Sci. 2006; 44(2): 137-156.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ssci.2005.08.017

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Information of occupational accidents is not standardized worldwide. Especially, developing countries do not have reliable information on their occupational accidents due to lack of proper recording and notification systems. The number of accidents is under-reported but figures are still used as a baseline for occupational safety work. In this paper global estimates of occupational accidents are presented for 175 countries. These estimates are based on figures from selected countries in eight different regions. Global estimates help to compare different countries and regions to each other to detect improvements in safety and safety work. In 1998 the average estimated number of fatal occupational accidents was 350 000 and there were 264 million non-fatal accidents. Global estimates are needed to guide national policies and decision-making.