Analysis of occupational accidents in Portugal between 1992 and 2001

Abstract Occupational accidents have a major impact upon human integrity, but they also bring about high costs for a country’s social security system. This situation has incidence on the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, which in Portugal are mostly micro- and small-sized ones. The main goal of this study was to examine the accidents (that were officially recorded) in the decade 1992–2001 in work environments, and working conditions pertaining to the workforce—in attempts to build a picture of the working life situation in that country. Because of incompatibility among data, index numbers by time and by indicator were calculated. The number of occupational accidents decreased from 1992 to 1995, but tended thereafter to stabilize at a still high level; the rate and causes of occupational accidents in Portugal should thus be thoroughly and comprehensively studied, in order to design and implement effective prevention programs. Construction and manufacturing were the most important economic activities in terms of occupational accidents. After 1996, fatal accidents occurred at the highest rates in Lisbon and Tejo Valley’s region, whereas the highest rates of non-fatal ones took place in the north region of Portugal. As expected, the highest numbers of fatal accidents were observed in the 25–44 year group throughout the decade, because this is the age range in which the highest percentage of employment exists. Increasing labor flexibility and overtime working during this decade led to a significant increase of fatal accidents on Saturday and Monday, with a higher incidence in the 12–16 h working schedule. Traumatism with contusion was the major type of injury recorded, and multiple sites was the most frequent description of bodily part injured.