Citation

Hayward G. Accid. Anal. Prev. 1996; 28(1): 115-121.

Affiliation

Consumer Safety Unit, Department of Trade and Industry, London, U.K.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8924178

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the risk of injury per hour of use for a range of consumer products. Exposure data was derived from interviewing a large sample of adults about their use of 76 common kitchen, do-it-yourself and household products. This was combined with hospital sample data for injuries involving each product, to yield the risk-of-injury-per-hour-of-use. Powered cutting equipment, access equipment (ladders and scaffolding) and products with sharp blades were shown to have a comparatively high risk, along with cycles, sunbeds, creosote, cement, car jacks and exercise weights. Perceived risk was shown to be a poor basis for priority setting, but a practical guide to priority for preventive action can be provided by "mapping" products on a plot of the risk of injury per hour of use vs the total medical costs of such accidents.