Work accident
Encyclopedia
A work accident (also called occupational accident, accident at work) is a "discrete occurrence in the course of work, which leads to physical or mental harm". According to the International Labour Organization
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues pertaining to international labour standards. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. Its secretariat — the people who are employed by it throughout the world — is known as the...

 (ILO), more than 337 million accidents happen on the job each year, resulting, together with occupational diseases, in more than 2.3 million deaths annually.

The phrase 'in the course of work' means during the course of work or at work (even if the accident happens off the company’s premises, or if it is caused by third parties) according to Eurostat
Eurostat
Eurostat is a Directorate-General of the European Commission located in Luxembourg. Its main responsibilities are to provide the European Union with statistical information at European level and to promote the integration of statistical methods across the Member States of the European Union,...

; and 'while engaged in an economic activity, or at work, or carrying on the business of the employe' according to ILO.

The phrase physical or mental harm means any injury, disease or death. Occupational accidents differ from occupational diseases in that they are unexpected and unplanned occurrences, while an occupational disease is 'contracted as a result of an exposure over a period of time to risk factors arising from work activity'.

Incidents that fall within the definition of occupational accidents also include cases of acute poisoning, attacks by humans and animals, insects etc., slips on pavements or staircases, road traffic accidents and accidents on board means of transportation in the course of work, accidents in airports, stations and so on.

There is no consensus as to whether commuting accidents (i.e. is accidents on the way to work and while returning home after work) should be considered as work accidents. The ESAW methodology excludes them, ILO includes them in its conventions concerning Health & Safety at work, albeit as a separate category of accidents, while some countries (e.g. Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....

) do not distinguish them from other work accidents.

A fatal accident at work is defined as an accident which leads to the death of a victim. The time within which the death may occur varies among countries: In Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

 an accident is registered as fatal if the victim dies during the same day that the accident happened, in Germany if death came within 30 days, while Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 and Greece see no time limit.
Where the accidents involve multiple fatalities they are often referred to as industrial disasters
Industrial disasters
This article lists notable industrial disasters, which are disasters caused by industrial companies, either by accident, negligence or incompetence. They are a form of industrial accident where great damage, injury or loss of life are caused....

.

See also

  • Industrial injury
    Industrial injury
    An occupational injury is bodily damage resulting from working.In the United States in 2007, 5,488 workers died from job injuries, 92% of which were men, and 49,000 died from work-related injuries. NIOSH estimates that 4 million workers in the U.S...

  • Occupational disease
    Occupational disease
    An occupational disease is any chronic ailment that occurs as a result of work or occupational activity. It is an aspect of occupational safety and health. An occupational disease is typically identified when it is shown that it is more prevalent in a given body of workers than in the general...

  • Social security
    Social security
    Social security is primarily a social insurance program providing social protection or protection against socially recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and others. Social security may refer to:...

  • Workers' compensation
    Workers' compensation
    Workers' compensation is a form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee's right to sue his or her employer for the tort of negligence...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK