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The Italian National Surveillance System for Occupational Injuries: Conceptual Framework and Fatal Outcomes, 2002–2016

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe Campo

    (Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for the Insurance of Work Related Injuries (INAIL), 00144 Rome, Italy)

  • Luca Cegolon

    (Public Health Department, Local Health Unit N.2 “Marca Trevigiana”, 31100 Treviso, Italy
    Institute for Maternal & Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy)

  • Diego De Merich

    (Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for the Insurance of Work Related Injuries (INAIL), 00144 Rome, Italy)

  • Ugo Fedeli

    (Azienda Zero, Epidemiological Service, 35100 Padua, Veneto Region, Italy)

  • Mauro Pellicci

    (Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for the Insurance of Work Related Injuries (INAIL), 00144 Rome, Italy)

  • William C. Heymann

    (Florida Department of Health, Sarasota County Health Department, Sarasota, FL 34237, USA
    Department of Clinical Sciences Florida, College of Medicine, State University, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA)

  • Sofia Pavanello

    (Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences & Public Health, Padua University, 35128 Padua, Italy)

  • Armando Guglielmi

    (Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for the Insurance of Work Related Injuries (INAIL), 00144 Rome, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Mastrangelo

    (Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences & Public Health, Padua University, 35128 Padua, Italy)

Abstract

Background: A national database of work-related injuries has been established in Italy since 2002, collecting information on the injured person, his/her work tasks, the workplace and the risk factors contributing to incident dynamics, according to a model called Infor.Mo. Methods: A descriptive study of occupational fatal injuries, excluding work-related fatal traffic injuries, that occurred in Italy from 2002 to 2016 (15 years) was performed. Results: Among 4874 victims involved, all were males, mainly >51 years of age (43.2%), predominantly self-employed (27.8%) or workers with non-standard contracts (25%). About 18.4% and 17.3% of fatal events occurred in micro-enterprises belonging to, respectively, construction and agriculture. A wide range of nationalities (59 countries in addition to Italy) was identified. Overall, 18.9% of work-related fatal injuries were due to some form of hazardous energy—mechanical, thermal, electrical or chemical—that was normally present in the workplace. Workers’ falls from height (33.5%), heavy loads falling on workers from height (16.7%) and vehicles exiting their route and overturning (15.9%) were the events causing the greatest proportion of occupational fatal injuries in the present study (from 2002 to 2016) and in the initial pilot phase, focused on years 2002–2004, with a similar distribution of fatal events between the two time periods. The activity of the injured person made up 43.3% of 9386 risk factors identified in 4874 fatalities. Less common risk factors were related to work equipment (20.2%), work environment (14.9%), third–party activity (9.8%), personal protective equipment/clothing (8.0%) and materials (3.7%). The activity of the injured person remained the most relevant contributing factor even when the incident was caused by two or more risk factors. Discussion: Occupational fatal injuries occurred mainly in small size firms (up to nine employees) in hazardous workplaces. Small companies, which account for 68% (2888/4249) of all firms in the present study, generally have fewer resources to remain current with the continuously evolving health and safety at work regulations; moreover, these firms tend to be less compliant with health and safety at work regulations since they are less likely to be inspected by occupational vigilance services. Perspectives: An approach being introduced in Italy relies on the use of economic incentives to promote safe and healthy workplaces. The comparison of pre-intervention and post-intervention rates of work-related injuries by means of interrupted time series analyses could detect whether the intervention will have an effect significantly greater than the underlying secular trend.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Campo & Luca Cegolon & Diego De Merich & Ugo Fedeli & Mauro Pellicci & William C. Heymann & Sofia Pavanello & Armando Guglielmi & Giuseppe Mastrangelo, 2020. "The Italian National Surveillance System for Occupational Injuries: Conceptual Framework and Fatal Outcomes, 2002–2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-21, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:20:p:7631-:d:431496
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    Cited by:

    1. José C. Vera-Jiménez & Felipe L. Meléndez-Sánchez & José A. Álvarez & Jesús Ayuso, 2022. "An Analysis of Biomechanical Parameters in OTP Police Physical Intervention Techniques for Occupational Risk Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, May.

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