Last update:
15-Nov-2008

As occupational injuries cause approximately 350,000 deaths per year worldwide and account for more than 10 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in the economically active population, they represent a universal public health issue that calls for effective prevention. Although professional fields such as the field of construction, agriculture, transport and manufacturing present the highest rates of injuries, recent European Union (EU) studies reveal a common downward trend in fatal occupational injury rates in the developed world. Research on potential risk factors, mainly demographic, behavioural and environmental remains inconclusive as different countries report diversified patterns. This paper aims: (a) to describe the magnitude and the socio-economic burden of occupational injuries in the countries of the EU, (b) to outline underlying risk factors and (c) to present evidence based preventive practices that reduce the likelihood of occupational injury occurrence. This information has been used in the development of messages comprising the European Code Against Injuries (ECAI).

Key words: European Code Against Injuries, Injury, Οccupation, Prevention, Work.