Occupational injuries in Italy: risk factors and long term trend (1951-98)

Objectives-Trends in the rates of total injuries and fatal accidents in the different sectors of Italian industries were explored during the period 19 51-98. Causes and dynamics of injury were also studied for setting prioriti es for improving safety standards. Methods-Data on occupational injuries from the National Organisation for La bour Injury Insurance were combined with data from the State Statistics Ins titute to highlight the interaction between the injury frequency index tren d and the production cycle-that is, the evolution of industrial production throughout the years. Multiple regression with log transformed rates was ad opted to model the trends of occupational fatalities for each industrial gr oup. Results-The ratios between the linked indices of injury frequency and indus trial production showed a good correlation over the whole period. A general decline in injuries was found across all sectors, with values ranging from 79.86% in the energy group to 23.32% in the textile group. In analysing fa talities, the trend seemed to be more clearly decreasing than the trend of total injuries, including temporary and permanent disabilities; the fatalit ies showed an exponential decrease according to multiple regression, with a n annual decline equal to 4.42%. Conclusions-The overall probability of industrial fatal accidents in Italy tended to decrease exponentially by year. The most effective actions in pre venting injuries were directed towards fatal accidents. By analysing the ra tes of fatal accident in the different sectors, appropriate targets and pri orities for increased strategies to prevent injuries can be suggested. The analysis of the dynamics and the material causes of injuries showed that st ill more consideration should be given to human and organisational factors.