Burden of Injury due to Occupational Exposures

Abstract

Occupational injuries, also called occupational accidents, have existed as long as the humankind. Such injuries have often been considered to “go with the business.” Injuries are, however, not caused by a law of nature. They are preventable as has been demonstrated by best practices elsewhere. This chapter provides an overview of important global trends of occupational injuries, with data sources coming mostly from developed countries. Moreover, good policy and practice solutions are emphasized.

The best available data and numbers of injuries have been estimated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), based on thorough investigation. These findings indicate that, globally, the annual number of fatal occupational injuries is 380,000. This is composed mainly of an Asian burden of 250,000 deaths and 65,000 deaths in Africa, with only 10,760 deaths taking place in the high-income region. Occupational injury rates vary widely within and between regions, being highest in the riskiest sectors and occupations in less-developed countries. The average annual range between countries varies from 0.5/100,000 to 27.5/100,000. The range between the safest and most hazardous jobs annually varies between 0 and 500 deaths/100,000, the most hazardous jobs being in tropical logging. The estimated global cost of poor or non-existing safety and health measures has been estimated to be around 3 trillion USD, equivalent of 3.9% of the global GDP. Globally, the number of occupational injuries is still growing, despite successful reductions in the high-income regions. The human burden and economic price of occupational injuries are very high.