Part II: Implications on preventive measures
Chapter 1 Using ESAW data in the development of preventive measures
1.3 Specific priorities
This section will focus on data relating to the sector of economic activity of enterprises and certain types of accidents.
Economic activity of the employer
Local units of enterprises are categorised according to the NACE Rev1 classification. For instance, a cider factory will be categorised as follows:
i Section D "Manufacturing"
ii Subsection D 15 "Manufacture of food products, beverages and tobacco"
iii Subsection D 15.9 " Manufacture of beverages" iv Subsection D 15.94 " Manufacture of cider and
other fruit wines".
This classification makes it possible to identify the sectors which present the highest risks, and thus to establish priorities in terms of preventive actions.
In 2005, the incidence rate for non-fatal accidents (resulting in more than three days of absence) across all sectors of activity was on average 2 649 per 100 000 workers; for fatal accidents at work this figure stood at 2.7 per 100 000 workers (see Part I – Table A1.9 in the Annexe).
The sectors of economic activity (NACE 1 digit) most exposed to risk include:
Fishing (NACE B), with an incidence rate of 7 199 for non-fatal accidents and 28.9 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work.
Construction (NACE F), with an incidence rate of 6 067 for non-fatal accidents and 8.8 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work.
Mining and quarrying (mines, quarries, extraction of natural gas and oil) (NACE C), with an incidence rate of 5 656 for non-fatal accidents and 15.5 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work.
Agriculture, hunting and forestry (NACE A), with an incidence rate of 4 559 for non-fatal accidents and 10.1 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work.
Transport, storage and communication (NACE I), with an incidence rate of 3 695 for non-fatal accidents and 7.6 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work.
Manufacturing (NACE D), with an incidence rate of 3 504 for non-fatal accidents and 2.6 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work. Within each branch of economic activity, particular attention should be placed on subsections (NACE at 2 digits) presenting averages higher than the general average and the sector average. In the same line of
thinking, similar comparisons can carried out for NACE at 3 and 4 digits.
For example, in 2005 incidence rates in manufacturing stood at 3 504 for non-fatal accidents and 2.6 for fatal accidents; more detailed incidence rates at NACE 2-digit level are provided below:
Manufacture of wood and wood products (NACE D 20), with an incidence rate of 6 864 for non-fatal accidents and 7.1 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work.
Manufacture of basic metals (NACE D 27) and fabricated metal products (NACE D 28), with an incidence rate of 5 760 for non-fatal accidents and 4.3 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work.
Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products (NACE D 26), with an incidence rate of 5 702 for non-fatal accidents and 8.4 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work.
Manufacture of food products, beverages and tobacco (NACE D 15 and D16), with an incidence rate of 4 789 for non-fatal accidents and 3.0 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work. Manufacture of rubber and plastic products
(NACE D 25), with an incidence rate of 3 910 for non-fatal accidents and 1.2 per 100 000 workers for fatal accidents at work.
The analysis of data by branch of economic activity and by occupation will highlight main risks associated to these sectors and occupations, and will accordingly enable the development of sectoral prevention policies. Employers can use this type of analysis based on observed accidents (first-hand experience) as a basis on which to carry out “risk assessments” so as to implement appropriate preventive actions.
Types of accidents
The ESAW data will make it possible to identify a number of representative categories of accidents.
Focus will be placed on the most recurrent deviations, which are defined as the last event deviating from normality and leading to the accident; the Material Agent associated to the deviation will also be analysed in this context.
The same analysis will be carried out for contacts, which describe how the victim was hurt (physical or mental trauma) by the Material Agent that caused the injury.
Deviations and related Material Agents
The analysis of the ESAW data has shown that the following deviations were most involved in accidents at work (see Part I – Table A5.1a-d in the Annex):
192
Causes and circumstances of accidents at work in the EU
Loss of control (total or partial) of machine, means oftransport or handling equipment, handheld tool, object, animal
In 2005, the deviation “loss of control of machine, means of transport or handling equipment” was involved in 671 878 cases of non-fatal accidents; the most recurrent Material Agents associated to this type of deviation included:
Non-powered hand tools; mechanical hand tools; hand tools without specification of power source (199 934 cases);
Materials, objects, products, machine or vehicle components, debris, dust (158 894 cases); Land vehicles (94 101 cases);
Machines and equipment – fixed (69 555 cases); Conveying, transport and storage systems
(61 489 cases).
The number of accidents at work triggered by loss of control could significantly be reduced by selecting and using machinery, transport means, handling equipment or hand tools that are suited to the task at hand, coupled with adequate training of workers.
Slipping – Stumbling and falling – Fall of persons
In 2005, the deviation “Slipping – Stumbling and falling – Fall of persons” was involved in 490 307 cases of non- fatal accidents; the most recurrent Material Agents associated to this type of deviation included:
buildings, structures, surfaces at ground level, above ground level and below ground level (364 568 cases);
land vehicles (27 740 cases);
materials, objects, products, machine or vehicle components, debris, dust (24 884 cases); conveying, transport and storage systems (19 235
cases).
Upgrading surfaces as well as careful storage of tools and materials and safe use of transport and storage systems could significantly reduce the number of accidents related to slipping and falling.
Body movement without any physical stress (generally leading to an external injury)
In 2005, “Body movement without any physical stress” was involved in 325 275 cases of non-fatal accidents; the most recurrent Material Agents associated to this type of deviation included:
buildings, structures, surfaces at ground level, above and below ground level (84 739 cases); materials, objects, products, machine or vehicle
components, debris, dust (75 059 cases); conveying, transport and storage systems (38 037
cases);
non-powered hand tools; mechanical hand tools; hand tools without specification of power source (36 345 cases);
machines and equipment – fixed (22 366 cases). The appropriate use of handling equipment and efficient organisation of tasks to be carried out would enable a considerable decrease in the number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to physical stress or body movement.
Contacts and related Material Agents
The analysis of the ESAW data has revealed that the following contacts were most frequently involved in accidents at work (see Part I – Table A5.3a-d in the Annex):
Horizontal/vertical impact with/against stationary object (victim in motion)
In 2005, horizontal or vertical impacts against stationary objects were involved in 501 600 cases of non-fatal accidents; the most recurrent Material Agents associated to this type of contact included:
buildings, structures, surfaces at ground level, above and below ground level (315 015 cases); materials, objects, products, machine or vehicle
components, debris, dust (48 315 cases); conveying, transport and storage systems (28 171
cases);
land vehicles (23 369 cases);
non-powered hand tools; mechanical hand tools; hand tools without specification of power source (11 969 cases);
machines and equipment – fixed (9 080 cases). The number of such accidents could be substantially reduced through the efficient management of the working area, proper use of equipment and the provision of specific training for workers.
Chapter 1: Using ESAW data in the development of preventive measures
193
Physical or mental stress
In 2005, physical or mental stress was involved in 430 977 cases of non-fatal accidents; the most recurrent Material Agents associated to this type of contact included:
materials, objects, products, machine or vehicle components, debris, dust (136 993 cases); buildings, structures, surfaces at ground level,
above and below ground level (72 212 cases); conveying, transport and storage systems (62 637
cases);
non-powered hand tools; mechanical hand tools; hand tools without specification of power source (31 429 cases).
In order to avoid such accidents related to physical stress, appropriate tools should be provided and used according to safety recommendations; this should be complemented by training on the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The organisation of work should also be adapted to prevent risks related to mental stress that can result in more than three consecutive days of absence.
Struck by object in motion, collision with
In 2005, contacts involving being struck by or a collision with an object in motion accounted for 353 369 cases of non-fatal accidents; the most recurrent Material Agents associated to this type of contact included:
materials, objects, products, machine or vehicle components, debris, dust (108 145 cases); land vehicles (64 949 cases);
buildings, structures, surfaces at ground level, above and below ground level (42 999 cases); conveying, transport and storage systems (42 000
cases);
non-powered hand tools; mechanical hand tools; hand tools without specification of power source (39 443 cases).
The number of accidents involving being struck by an object in motion could be drastically reduced via the use of appropriate signalling, better organisation of work and the training of workers in the operation of new machinery.
Contact with sharp, pointed, rough, coarse Material
Agent
In 2005, contacts with sharp Material Agents accounted for 327 105 cases of non-fatal accidents; the most recurrent Material Agents associated to this type of contact included
Non-powered hand tools; mechanical hand tools; hand tools without specification of power source (98 267 cases);
Materials, objects, products, machine or vehicle components, debris, dust (93 721 cases); Buildings, structures, surfaces at ground level,
above ground level and below ground level (54 428 cases);
Machines and equipment – fixed (30 835 cases). The number of accidents due to contacts with sharp Material Agents could be significantly reduced through the provision of appropriate tools and relevant training in how to use them safely. The working area should also be cleared of any objects that could cause accidents due to such contacts with sharp objects (e.g. sharp object lying on the ground, plank with protruding nails, etc.).
In conclusion, the analysis of accidents and more specifically deviations, contacts and their related Material Agents can provide general guidelines in developing and setting priorities for prevention policies. In light of the analysis, the following areas should be given particular consideration:
falls on the same level; falls from height; machinery; hand tools;
manual or mechanical handling; occupational road risks; psychosocial risk factors.
These areas will be examined in more detail in the following chapters so as to define specific prevention actions in accordance with the various types of accidents and sectors of economic activity.