Global trend according to estimated number of occupational accidents and fatal work-related diseases at region and country level

Background

Although occupational accidents and work-related diseases have been of interest for a long time, due to lack of proper recording and notification systems the official numbers of occupational accidents and work-related diseases are missing for many countries. Presently, the demand for effectiveness and an interest in the economic aspects of accidents have increased prevention activities at company and country levels.

Methods

Occupational accident data of selected countries and of World Health Organization regional divisions together with the global burden of disease were used in estimating global occupational accidents and fatal work-related diseases. The trend of global occupational accidents and work-related diseases is presented at region and country levels. The years 1998, 2001, and 2003 are compared in the case of occupational accidents and the years 2000 and 2002 in the case of work-related diseases.

Results

The total number of occupational accidents and fatal work-related diseases has increased, but the fatality rates per 100,000 workers have decreased. There were almost 360,000 fatal occupational accidents in 2003 and almost 2 million fatal work-related diseases in 2002. Every day more than 960,000 workers get hurt because of accidents. Each day 5,330 people die because of work-related diseases.

Conclusions

Information on occupational accidents and work-related diseases is needed so that countries may understand better the importance of occupational health and safety at country and company level. Especially companies in developing countries are not familiar with occupational safety and health. Statistical data is essential for accident prevention; it is a starting point for the safety work.     

An intervention program utilizing small groups: A comparative study

Thirteen small groups were employed in an intervention program to improve housekeeping and safety conducted at a shipyard. Two main tasks were given to the small groups, which were formed specifically for the one-year program. First, the groups had to solve practical problems in housekeeping to eliminate the obstacles of good housekeeping. Then they had to establish new work practices for the maintenance of a good housekeeping level by using the elements of the behavior modification technique. The groups were responsible for all the actions taken in their own department. Comparative material was gathered about the process and the outcome of the program. The program was successful in improving housekeeping and safety at the shipyard. Differences were noted between the departments, however. In the best departments the small groups worked very actively and succeeded in involving the other personnel into the program. With careful design and coordination, the program using small groups can successfully be applied for improving safety performance in industry.     

Crop responses to climate and socioeconomic change in northern regions

Climate, farmers’ actions and previous cultivation history influence regional crop yields and drive autonomous adaptation in time. Proceeding climate change will induce needs for various adaptation measures in the future, especially in the northern regions. We investigated how farms take advantage of novel opportunities in Finland as dictated by the biophysical environment, farmer experience and knowledge, and the dynamics of the socioeconomic environment. Using Finland as a case, we aimed to characterize the relation of regional climate and yield development of the four major cereal crops since 1965 and of spring rape since 1978. Yields in the northernmost regions were most responsive to growing season temperature sum and precipitation. However, yield levels in southern relative to northern and eastern areas have polarized through the period, which might be an indication of a socioeconomic rather than a climate-related response. As socioeconomic factors can be more deterministic for targeting autonomous adaptation on farms, regionally planned proactive adaptation strategies are needed to prepare for long-term changes such as the climate change.     

A poster campaign for improving safety on shipyard scaffolds

In a constantly changing work environment, hazards for occupational accidents are created easily. In these circumstances, more demands are made on the workers' ability to identify and to control the hazards. The objective of this study is to determine whether hazard consciousness among workers can be enhanced by a poster campaign. Attention was also paid to the role of the poster campaign in improving safety. The campaign was conducted in the shipbuilding industry and was directed primarily to workers who were exposed to risks associated with the use of scaffolds. Local conditions of the shipyard under study were taken into account in creating the campaign material. After the campaign the workers were more conscious of hazards associated with the use of scaffolds, and the number of occupational accidents was reduced in the intervention area. Improving safety at a workplace is a continual process affected by numerous factors. A poster campaign is one such action contributing to this process.     

GC-profiles of chlorinated terpenes (Toxaphenes) in some Finnish environmental samples

The profiles of chlorinated terpenes in Finnish environmental samples were compared by GLC-SIM technique with those of toxaphene and Eastern European “dark”. The profiles in the seal blubber in the Northern and in the Eastern Baltic Sea proved to be similar. Chlorinated terpenes were found to be present in Finnish human milk.The spent bleach liquor of pine kraft pulp mill contained components having similar retention times and responses to those from toxaphene components.     

Rainfed crop production challenges under European high-latitude conditions

Regional Environmental Change - Global warming is likely to prolong the growing season at high latitudes where the brevity of the growing season currently limits crop growth and yields. A longer...