Statistics in Focus. Population and Social Conditions. Accidents at Work in the EU in 1996

Abstract

Since 1994, Eurostat has produced annual European statistics on accidents at work, applying a harmonised methodology based on national sources mainly of an administrative nature. This publication covers the results for 1996. In addition to information on the victims, their injuries and their economic activities, the 1996 data cover two new aspects: the size of the enterprise, including information on the victim's professional status, and the duration of absence from work resulting from the accident, which is a prime indicator of its cost. Furthermore, for the first time, the 1996 data include information on "commuting accidents" occurring on the journey between home and the place of work. In 1996 in the European Union (EU), there were 4 757 611 accidents at work resulting in more than three days' absence from work, compared to 4 918 066 in 1994 (estimated numbers): this represents a downward trend from 1994 to 1996 of 3.3%. These results relate to 88% of persons in employment in the EU, i.e. 131.5 million workers. Related to this population, the number of accidents resulting in more than three days' absence per 100 000 persons in employment (incidence rate) in all of the nine main branches of agriculture, industry, energy, construction, trade, transport and business activities fell from 4 539 in 1994 to 4 229 in 1996 - a decrease of approximately 7%.