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1986

CIS 88-1166 Report XVI: Interaction between prevention of occupational risks and insurance against employment accidents and occupational diseases
Report of the Permanent Committee on Insurance against Employment Accidents and Occupational Diseases and the Permanent Committee on the Prevention of Occupational Risks adopted by the XXIInd General Assembly of the ISSA (Montreal, Sep. 1986). Discussed are: analysis of the problem; results of concrete individual measures and cost-benefit analysis. Guidelines for a national monograph are included.
International Social Security Association, General Secretariat, C.P. 1, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 1986. 31p.

CIS 88-1138 Kletz T.A.
Hazop and hazan - Notes on the identification and assessment of hazards. Second edition
Second edition of the Hazard Workshop Module first analysed as CIS 85-2034. It is primarily aimed at university students and those attending in-house training courses in industry. Contents: hazard identification and assessment; hazard and operability studies (hazop); hazard analysis (hazan); a manager's guide to hazard analysis; objections to hazop and hazan; sources of data and confidence limits; history of hazop and hazan.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers, 165-171 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3HQ, United Kingdom, 1986. 94p. Illus. Bibl.

CIS 88-842 Ubeda Asensio R., López Martínez A.
Work absenteeism - A retrospective view 1974-1984
Absentismo laboral - Visión retrospectiva 1974-1984/Absentismo laboral - Visión retrospectiva 1974-1984 [in Spanish]
Statistical study of work absenteeism in Spain from 1974 to 1984. Due to occupational accidents, 2.49 work days were lost for each employee in 1974 compared to 1.07 in 1984. This decrease was the same for all sectors of the economy. The number of work days lost due to disease decreased by 42.5% during the period. The total absenteeism (due to accidents, disease and maternity) was 17.59 days per employee in 1974 and 10.04 days in 1984. The economic crisis and, in particular, the high unemployment rate in Spain are considered to be the main reasons for the reduction in work absenteeism during the period.
Salud y trabajo, Mar.-Apr. 1986, No.54, p.19-26.

CIS 88-478 Financial aspects of occupational safety (a contribution to the study of direct costs)
Aspect financier de la sécurité au travail (contribution à l'étude des coûts directs) [in French]
Report based on the expense figures published in the occupational accident and disease statistics of the French National Health Insurance Fund for 1984. Contents: financial aspects of occupational accidents and diseases; historical study of the economic problem of occupational accidents; trends; calculation of direct costs; reduction of direct costs. Conclusion: although there has been a gratifying reduction in the frequency of occupational accidents in France, the average cost of accidents has been increasing. This observation shows the necessity of following a long-term safety policy.
Les éditions d'ergonomie, B.P. 138, 13267 Marseille Cedex 08, France, July 1986. 19p. Price: FRF 32.10.

CIS 87-1239 Hidden profit
English-language version of a videotape illustrating, through examples from both high- and low-technology industries, that effective safety programmes are cost effective.
Arbetarskyddsstyrelsen, 171 84 Solna, Sweden, 1986. Videotape (VHS, PAL). 12min.

CIS 87-446 Breaking point - An introduction to the cost-effective management of occupational health and safety: Trainer's guide
A kit consisting of an instructor's manual, handouts, 18 overhead transparencies and a VHS (PAL) videotape (also available in Beta), aimed at managers and supervisors, and covering: Australian employers' legal obligations; decision procedures and management processes involved in the management of occupational health and safety; individual and corporate responsibility and accountability; direct and indirect costs; support services and the development and implementation of safety policies.
Confederation of Australian Industry, Industrial Council, 44th Level, Nauru House, 80 Collins Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia, 1986. 37p.

CIS 87-165 Chiechi L., Mattiusi R.
The direct cost of the non-prevention of accidents
I costi diretti della mancata prevenzione degli infortuni [in Italian]
The decisions taken in any commercial enterprise are dictated by economic considerations; therefore, it is advisable to prevent accidents which, by nature, entail several cost factors. These factors are reviewed in the light of examples picked from Italian statistics: cost of worker's health impairment (cost of absenteeism due to occupational accidents or diseases, cost of insurance against occupational accidents and diseases, cost of inspection and health surveillance, cost of prosecution and claims); cost of production loss; ecological cost. An example is given of the considerable gains in productivity achieved by ergonomic studies which focus on the relationship between health, safety and output.
Rivista di meccanica, Nov. 1986 (II), Vol.37, No.870, p.110-113. Illus.

CIS 86-1949 Ruttenberg R.
Economics of notification and medical screening for high-risk workers
Measuring the economic impact of notification and intervention programmes for workers at high risk of disease from workplace exposure has been virtually non-existent for several reasons, which are discussed, and should include a comprehensive view of costs and benefits. A framework for analysis is proposed. It defines 4 major clients: the business community, workers and their families, the local and regional public sector, and the federal government. For each client, the positive and negative, quantitative and non-quantitative, direct and indirect, short-run and long-run effects are probed and a summary analysis is made. To illustrate the process, the notification and screening programme conducted by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Workers' Institute for Safety and Health (Augusta, Georgia, USA) for workers exposed to β-naphthylamine is described.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, Aug. 1986, Vol.28, No.8, p.757-764. Illus. 13 ref.

CIS 86-1948 Boden L.I.
Impact of workplace characteristics on costs and benefits of medical screening
Medical screening from an economist's perspective is discussed. The benefits and costs of testing are described, including health benefits, direct costs of testing and labour market impacts. The ways in which workplace characteristics unrelated to worker health can affect the value to employers of medical screening are identified. As a result, employers who maximise the benefits to them of medical screening may reduce the net social benefits of screening. The differences between the private and social benefits of medical screening suggest some areas where medical screening should be used with great care and others that may be the appropriate subjects of regulation.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, Aug. 1986, Vol.28, No.8, p.751-756. 17 ref.

CIS 86-895 Birkner L.R., Salzman L.S.
Assessing exposure control strategy cost-effectiveness
The method presented compares the cost of various control strategies for achieving a desired level of exposure. It makes use of discounted cash flow analysis on incremental control strategy investments and expenses to compare the costs associated with various achievable and effective exposure mitigation using engineering, administrative, work practices, personal protection or a combination of these approaches for economic efficiency.
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, Jan. 1986, Vol.47, No.1, p.50-54. 3 ref.

1985

CIS 86-269 Anderson C.K., Fine L.J., Herrin G.D., Sugano D.S.
Excess days lost as an index for identifying jobs with ergonomic stress
A new health impact index, excess cost, is advocated for identifying jobs in need of further study regarding ergonomic problems. This index is compared with incidence rate, excess count and severity rate indices in terms of concept and appropriateness to the purpose. The 4 indices are illustrated with data regarding medical leave from an automobile assembly plant and evaluated in terms of ability to identify jobs most strongly contributing to excessive days lost.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, Oct. 1985, Vol.27, No.10, p.740-744. 8 ref.

CIS 86-56 Kuronen J., Laitinen H.
Cost-benefit analysis of measures for noise prevention
Meluntorjunnan kannattavuuden arviointi yrityksissä [in Finnish]
The costs of planning, materials and installation, together with the losses caused by interruptions of operations, make up the toal cost of noise prevention measures. As accurate planning helps to avoid costly mistakes, it is unwise to skimp on planning costs. The benefits of noise prevention are measureable in monetary terms. Before a cost-benefit analysis is done, it must be shown that the measures under consideration will actually reduce noise and will be compatible with the production process. The analysis itself can be performed in terms of economic profitability, cost abatement ratios, cost effectiveness ratios and priority numbers. Each of these approaches to cost-benefit analysis has disadvantages; combined approaches are better. One acceptable model uses economic profitability and priority numbers, supplemented with a variable for the payback period. This model is well suited to cases where there is a risk of hearing loss; in other cases, the cost effectiveness ratio is the most suitable.
Työterveyslaitos, Laajaniityntie 1, 01620 Vantaa, Finland, 1985. 25p. 6 ref. Price: Fm.15.00.

CIS 85-1593 Cornu J.C.
Air purification methods in industry. Cost comparison methods and a case study
Procédés d'assainissement de l'air des ateliers. Méthodes de comparaison des coûts et étude de cas [in French]
Plans are described for the installation of 5 different air-purifying systems in an actual factory; air exhaust with heat recovery and heating by natural gas or oil; air exhaust without heat recovery and heating by natural gas or oil; air recycling after treatment and natural gas heating. For each possibility, the calculation includes: investment costs, annual operating costs, total costs based on the previous 2 costs, on the method of financing of the installation and on price projections. The influence of weather on these evaluations is discussed. The least expensive choice for this factory would be the installation of the system with air exhaust with energy recovery and heating by natural gas. A more general method for such calculations is being looked for; such a method would permit, at the planning stage, the comparison of prices of several solutions without the need for long and expensive studies.
Cahiers de notes documentaires - Sécurité et hygiène du travail, 3rd quarter 1985, No.120, Note No.1539-120-85, p.331-340. Illus. 3 ref.

CIS 85-895 Andreoni D.
The cost of occupational accidents and diseases
Le coût des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles [in French]
An attempt at establishing the factors to be considered when calculating the cost of occupational accidents and diseases at the worker, enterprise and national level. Suggestions are made for the reduction of the cost of preventive measures and for an increase in their effectiveness.
International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 1985. 161p. Illus. 85 ref. Price: SF.17.50.

1984

CIS 97-1159 Bequele A.
The costs and benefits of protecting and saving lives at work: Some issues
The role and limitations of cost-benefit analysis in the evaluation of occupational safety and health activities are discussed. While evaluation of the costs of accident prevention is reasonably easy, estimation of the benefits that derive from accident prevention or reduction of health risks is not. It is argued that the setting of standards and other policies intended to provide a safe and healthy environment cannot be based solely on whether the benefits justify their cost. Cost accounting cannot capture the many unrecorded costs (in particular the social costs) of accidents. The focus should move away from cost-benefit analysis to the analysis of the technological and economic feasibility of safety programmes.
International Labour Review - Revue internationale du Travail - Revista internacional del trabajo, Jan.-Feb. 1984, Vol.123, No.1, p.1-16. Bibl.ref.

CIS 88-1840 Bird F.E.
Management guide to loss control
Le guide du contrôle des pertes à l'intention de la direction [in French]
Management training guide to loss control. Contents: history and philosophy; causes and effects of downgrading incidents (incidents that decrease the efficiency of a business); incident investigation; planned inspections; proper job analysis and procedures; planned job observation; group communications; personal communications; job pride development (sickness, physical or mental handicap, fatigue, drug taking, alcoholism); environmental health in industry (air pollutants or contaminants, skin irritants, noise, extreme temperatures, illumination, radiation, ventilation); fire loss control; incident recall techniques; family protection.
Industrial Accident Prevention Association, Ontario, 2 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3N8, Canada, 1984. 243p. + course instruction and examination kit. Illus. 48 ref. Also available in French.

CIS 86-2084 Matsui K.
An analysis of medical certificate data regarding absenteeism due to injury and sickness
An analysis was made of medical certificate data regarding absenteeism due to injury and diseases kept by 449 factories. Results: (1) The order of frequency of the causes of absenteeism was injuries, digestive ulcers, low back pain and diseases of the respiratory organs; (2) Absenteeism due to tumours and circulatory diseases was rather frequent in small-scale enterprises of the woodworking and ceramics industries; (3) In such large-scale enterprises as transport machine manufacturing, where most workers are men, absenteeism due to mental diseases and haemorrhoids was fairly frequent; (4) In workplaces polluted by dust or organic solvent vapour, the rate of absenteeism was quite high.
Japanese Journal of Hygiene - Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi, Aug. 1984, Vol.39, No.3, p.621-632. Illus. 31 ref.

CIS 86-9 Dumaine J.
Fire safety in the iron and steel industry
La sécurité incendie dans la sidérurgie. Risque potentiel et coût de la prévention [in French]
Study of the main causes of fire in the iron and steel industry. Tabular presentation of the most important fires in the industry during the past 10 years, and of the damage caused in financial terms. Direct and indirect costs of fires as compared with the costs of fire prevention.
Sécurité et médecine du travail, Aug.-Sep. 1984, No.65, p.16-22.

CIS 85-2034 Kletz T.A.
Hazop and hazan - Notes on the identification and assessment of hazards
This manual for managers, engineers and students is one of the Institution of Chemical Engineers Hazard Workshop Training Modules. Contents: hazard identification and assessment; hazard and operability studies (hazop); hazard analysis (hazan); a manager's guide to hazard analysis; objections to hazop and hazan; sources of data; the history of hazop and hazan. Hazop is undertaken during the design or reevaluation of a plant or process; it attempts to identify the consequences of deviations in operating conditions. Hazan applies numerical methods and fault-tree analysis to the determination of the cost-benefit balance for proposed safety measures.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers, 165-171 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3HQ, United Kingdom, no date. 81p. Illus. Bibl. Price: £8.00; US$15.00.

CIS 85-2048 De Cicco F.M.G.A.F.
The cost of accidents
Custo de acidentes [in Portuguese]
A method is developed for the calculation of occupational accident costs in Brazil, based on a questionnaire survey involving more than 600,000 workers in 263 enterprises in 42 areas of economic activity.
Revista brasileira de saúde ocupacional, Jan.-Mar. 1984, Vol.12, No.45, p.55-67. 27 ref.

CIS 85-1498 Kunz W.
Cost of occupational accidents to the enterprise
Betriebliche Arbeitsunfallfolgekosten [in German]
An aid to the calculation of accident costs, often neglected by enterprises. The relationship between accident costs and prevention costs (a ratio of 40:1) is shown. Analysis of the factors that enter into such calculations, based on research conducted in enterprises. Formerly, the cost of the average accident, with 20 work days lost, was estimated at 14,000 Sch. Based on the research considered here, this estimate must be increased by 50%. The questionnaires used in the research and diagrams showing days lost following an accident are given in the appendix.
Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt, Abteilung für Unfallverhütung und Berufskrankheitenbekämpfung, Adalbert-Stifter-Strasse 65, 1200 Wien, Austria, no date. 40p. Illus.

CIS 85-1395 Kunz W.
Occupational accidents due to the absence of personal protective equipment - Analysis of accident costs, economic aspects
Arbeitsunfälle infolge fehlender persönlicher Schutzausrüstung: Unfallanalyse - Kostenanalyse, wirtschaftliche Aspekte [in German]
The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of accidents which could have been avoided by wearing personal protective equipment (for the head, the eyes, the hands and the feet) and to compare the cost of accidents with those of prevention. Accidents are analysed (numbers, black spots, injury sites), number of avoidable accidents, cost of accidents (treatment, disability pensions, loss of leisure time, lost income and work hours, cost to the national economy), economic aspects (cost of protective equipment compared with the cost of accidents). 8700 accidents were analysed in all (the most dangerous industries were metalworking and building construction); an estimated 20,000 accidents a year could have been prevented; losses in 1982 were 170 M Schillings for enterprises (as compared to 9 M Sch. for equipment) and 500 M Sch. for the Austrian economy.
Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt, Abteilung für Unfallverhütung und Berufskrankheitenbekämpfung, Adalbert-Stifter-Strasse 65, 1200 Wien, Austria, no date. 60p. Illus.

CIS 85-1195 Schrecker T.F.
Political economy of environmental hazards
Comments on the process by which Canadian environmental hazard law and policy are made and on the conceptual frameworks which are used to define objectives and strategies for controlling environmental, occupational and consumer product hazards. Aspects covered: politics of regulatory policy; politics of science; limits of economic analysis; business corporations as policy makers; recommendations.
Law Reform Commission of Canada, 150 Albert St., 7th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L6, Canada, 1984. 112p. 391 ref.

CIS 85-894 Allison W.W.
Is profitable risk control the 1980's leading edge?
Profitable risk control (PRC), which improves profits, productivity, quality, morale, image and safety by providing a catalyst of credibility that permeates and improves all areas of performance, is discussed as a management concept for improved industrial safety and total loss control. PRC is based on (1) the identification of the significant risks, real root causes, costs and permanent controls, (2) management involvement, (3) meaningful performance measurements, (4) the relation of all areas of performance improvement, and (5) the design of work flow, work areas, equipment and processes.
Professional Safety, Aug. 1984, Vol.29, No.8, p.35-40. Illus. 13 ref.

CIS 85-60 Körpert K., Raber A.
Evaluation of the proportion of overexposed workers and of the cost of total noise protection in Austrian enterprises
Abschätzung des Anteils überexponierter Arbeitnehmer und der Kosten für totalen Lärmschutz in österreichischen Betrieben [in German]
A theoretical model, described elsewhere, used to estimate the proportion of workers exposed to noise, is adapted to real conditions. The application of this model to Austrian data shows good agreement with the real situation, with deviations no greater than 3.8%. Using this model we obtain 2 to 7 billion Austrian Schillings (approx. US$100-350 million) as an estimate of the cost of reducing industrial noise levels to below 85dB(A).
Zeitschrift für Lärmbekämpfung, 1984, Vol.31, p.107-112. Illus. 7 ref.

CIS 85-280 Industrial accident costs (1969-1979)
Coût des accidents du travail (1969-1979) [in French]
Statistical data on the cost of occupational accidents for the period 1969-1979 in Canada. Aspects covered: cost of accidents (sectorial), of prevention and of the application of the Canadian occupational health and safety law.
Publications Distribution Centre, Labour Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A OJ2, Canada, 1984. 74p. Bibl.

CIS 84-1783 Saurer A., Raymond L.
Occupational accidents in Switzerland, since 1921, in terms of economic developments
Les accidents de travail en Suisse, depuis 1921, au regard de l'évolution économique [in French]
The plateau in the level of occupational accidents which coincided with the onset of the economic crisis in 1974 raised the possibility of a connection between accident frequency and socio-economic indicators (age structure of the working population, proportion of women and foreign workers in the work force, scale of enterprises, structural changes in the economy, legislation, pace of work, etc.). Accident rates, unemployment rates, gross national product per person, and numbers of foreign workers are shown graphically for the period 1921-1982. Trends in accident rates for 1945-1946 and 1974-1975 coincide with changes in the national economy. Significant correlation coefficients were obtained for accident rate versus gross national product per person. An increase in accident rates coincided with the arrival of large numbers of foreign workers.
SPM - Sozial- und Präventivmedizin - Social and Preventive Medicine - Médecine sociale et préventive, 1984, Vol.29, No.4-5, p.196-198. Illus. 7 ref.

CIS 84-1798 Oppermann H.
Determine accident costs simply
Unfallkosten einfach ermitteln [in German]
Part 1 gives the results of several studies on the costs of accidents and analyses the accidents in terms of economics and cost/benefit ratios. Various models which can be used for determining accident costs are reviewed, and the formulae for two of them are presented. Part 2 gives a simplified formula that is equally applicable to small and medium-sized enterprises. The model limits itself to the calculation of the personal costs (wages and associated costs) of the most important job. Calculations of the cost of one accident, of the total cost of accidents occurring during a given period, and of the total cost of accidents in one branch of an enterprise are demonstrated.
Fortschrittliche Betriebsführung und Industrial Engineering, 1984, Vol.33, No.3, p.152-154, and No.4, p.216-218. 16 ref.

1983

CIS 86-854 De Cicco F.M.G.A.F.
The cost of accidents
Custo de acidentes [in Portuguese]
Results of a questionnaire survey addressed to 4300 Brazilian enterprises (those with more than 500 employees). The analysis involved responses from 263 enterprises, with 630,000 employees, subdivided into 16 economic sectors. The average annual number of accidents with injury, for the period 1979-1982, was ca. 90,000 in these enterprises, of which ca. 30,000 resulted in absence from work. 27% of these enterprises had no estimates of losses due to injuries resulting in no absences, while 61% had no estimates of uninsured losses due to accidents. Partially because of the lack of complete information to be obtained from enterprises, this study proposes a new system of evaluation of accident costs, involving the salary paid to injured workers (borne by the enterprise in Brazil for up to 15 days after the accident), the costs of repairing machinery and equipment damaged in the accident, subsidiary costs relating to injuries (medical assistance and first aid) and to damage (loss of production), with insurance benefits and other forms of compensation received deducted.
Fundacentro, C.P. 11484, CEP 05499 São Paulo, SP, Brazil, 1983. 60p. 27 ref.

CIS 86-598 Hoffmann H.
Calculation of the costs of individual accidents to the Mutual Accident Insurance Associations
Die Kalkulation der berufsgenossenschaftlichen Kosten einzelner Unfälle [in German]
This study sought to develop calculation procedures and numerical indicators for determining the cost of an individual accident. Some 270,000 occupational (workplace and commuting) accidents reported to the Mutual Accident Insurance Association of the Chemical Industry between 1968 and 1970 were analysed. Three types of cost were considered: costs of treatment, disability payments and costs of fatal accidents (definitions, statistical weighting, calculations, relevant factors, examples, projections). Fewer than 1% of the reported accidents account for most of the indemnities. Data are presented in appendixes.
Berufsgenossenschaft der chemischen Industrie, Gaisbergstrasse 11, 6900 Heidelberg 1, Federal Republic of Germany, 1983. 117p. 81 ref.

CIS 85-1484 Volkholz V., Bürkardt D., Eggeling F., Gut P., Oppen M., Steffens E.J., Thiele W.
Costs of disability
Kosten der Arbeitsunfähigkeit [in German]
Statistics on morbidity (numbers of insured persons disabled by accident or disease) and on the costs of accidents at the company and national levels. Analysis of the frequency of disability for various groups of persons and of the different causes of disability for various jobs, age groups and nationalities. Data on the expenses due to medical treatment and those due to continued payment of salaries (for different disabilities). Calculation of the cost of accidents at the national and enterprise level, and discussion of the importance of safety programmes. In an annex: costs of occupational diseases.
Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz, Postfach 170202, 4600 Dortmund 17, Federal Republic of Germany, 1983. 214p. Illus. 105 ref. Price: DM.28.00.

CIS 84-1499 Crapnell S.G.
How safety and health pros analyze and control costs
Occupational safety and health professionals are demonstrating the benefits of prevention by analysing the direct and indirect costs of accidents and occupational diseases, such as, workmen's compensation, medical care, equipment replacement, absenteeism, lost productivity and product quality deterioration. Such analyses are becoming part of management training courses. Computerised database management systems are being used to assist in the monitoring of employee health and to identify preventible problems. The cost of employee protection is being considered in the development of product performance standards in chemical process industries.
Occupational Hazards, Aug. 1983, Vol.45, No.8, p.41-44. Illus.

CIS 84-1498 Lancianese F.W.
The soaring costs of industrial accidents
Between 1979 and 1980 the cost to employers of medical insurance and compensation connected with industrial accidents increased 13% in the United States, and in the 1970-79 period workers' compensation benefit costs more than tripled. Legislative and legal action is reviewed in specific states. Proposed federal action in connection with asbestos and Agent Orange is described. Specialists in the business, insurance and labour sectors contend that an effective safety programme at the worksite is the best way for an employer to reduce costs resulting from job-related accidents.
Occupational Hazards, Aug. 1983, Vol.45, No.8, p.35-39. Illus.

CIS 84-568 Derebery V.J., Tullis W.H.
Delayed recovery in the patient with a work compensable injury
Aspects considered are: differential diagnosis of the delayed-recovery patient (physiological, psychological); compensation neurosis; traumatic neurosis; depression; malingering; history-taking; treatment (vocational, physical activity, cessation of narcotics, relaxation training).
Journal of Occupational Medicine, Nov. 1983, Vol.25, No.11, p.829-835. 32 ref.

CIS 84-596 Henderson J.
What should be done about occupational accidents and diseases?
The principles of equity and efficiency are examined as criteria on which policy objectives can be based. Appropriate objectives for the field of health and safety at work are derived, and reasons why private firms in the United Kingdom would not attain these objectives without regulation are discussed. The implications of this failure are considered, and the recommendation of the Robens Committee, that the possibility of differential rates of employers' contributions based on claims experience be provided for, is considered. Methods by which the state might intervene - by providing information on risks and stipulating legally enforceable standards - are analysed. It is suggested that a tax on employers for accidents and diseases arising at work may have advantages.
International Journal of Epidemiology, Mar. 1983, Vol.12, No.1, P.77-83. Illus. 15 ref.

CIS 83-2096 De Lange H.
Cost of occupational accidents
Le coût des accidents du travail [in French]
Analysis of the costs of occupational accidents based on information from the Occupational Accident Insurance Inspectorates and the Ministry of Social Security (Belgium). A table gives the cost of accident claims paid by the public funds and private insurers (direct cost of occupational accidents in 1981). Commuting accidents account for a large part of the financial burden: 7% of the accidents and 17% of the total claims paid. Of a total of BF18,000,000,000 paid in claims, about BF1,200,000,000 were attributable to fatal accidents, 11,000,000,000 to accidents resulting in permanent disability and 5,700,000,000 to less serious accidents. A second table gives the evolution of the average cost of occupational accidents during the last 5 years. The total amount of money has stabilised thanks to declining numbers of workers, but the average cost per accident has risen at a rate of about 10%/year.
Promosafe, Jan. 1983, Vol.10, No.64, p.13-15.

1982

CIS 84-1795 Steneck N.H.
Risk/benefit analysis: the microwave case
The biological effects and health hazards of exposure to microwave radiation are analysed in relation to the benefits of the technology in order to provide a basis for setting safety standards. Topics covered: definitions (variables, present and future benefits of applications, occupational safety and health practices in the USSR and Eastern Europe, opinions on costs, benefits and risks, perceived versus real risks); options and considerations for policymaking (approaches to risk assessment, consequences of application in the military field, the policymaking environment, terminology and values, standards and their implementation); scientific considerations (laboratory and courtroom).
San Francisco Press, Inc., Box 6800, San Francisco, CA 94101-6800, USA, 1982. 231p. Illus. 165 ref. Price: US$15.00.

CIS 84-1793 Wilson R., Crouch E.
Risk/benefit analysis
The problems inherent in defining, perceiving and estimating risk are discussed to provide guidance in risk analysis. Theoretical discussions are combined with actual analysis, in risk-benefit terms, of cases involving saccharin, nuclear power plants, automobile safety, radiation exposure, nuclear copper mining, mass chest radiography, skull fracture diagnosis, coronary artery surgery, and swine influenza immunisation. Risk assessment is a technical function requiring statistical analysis of data and should be separate from decision making on policy issues.
Harper & Row Europe, Noorderweg 68, 1221 AB Hilversum, Netherlands, 1982. 218p. Illus. 105 ref. Bibl. Index. Price: Glds.96.55.

CIS 84-1718 Disaster in a gold mine
Catastrophe dans une usine d'or [in French]
Report of a commission of enquiry into the Ferderber mine disaster (20 May 1980) in the northwestern part of the Province of Québec (Canada), in which 8 of the 24 miners who were underground at the time died. Detailed analysis of the mining industry in Québec, of the causes of the accident, and of relevant socioeconomic factors.
Ministry of Communications, Government of Québec, Hôtel du Government, Québec, Canada, 1982. 219p. Illus.

CIS 83-1798 Mattila M.
Work environment and economics - Investigations on the economics of occupational safety and health in Finland
Arbetsmiljö och ekonomi - Arbetarskyddsekonomiska utredningar i Finland [in Swedish]
The philosophy of this contribution to a meeting of Nordic experts on work environment questions is that OSH is an integral part of production and that the cost of OSH cannot be separated from other costs related to production and equipment. A short analysis of the economic effects of OSH is followed by the results of studies carried out in Finland on these effects (profitability studies on the economy of industrial undertakings, estimation of the total cost to the national economy of occupational accidents and diseases). Examples are given: cost-benefit effects of proposed ventilation standards; effects of the press regulations. Another possibility of measuring OSH is to make comparisons between safety measures using the risk concept.
Raportti 25, Tampereen teknillinen korkeakoulu, Konetekniikan osasto, Työsuojelu, PL 527, 33101 Tampere 10, Finland, 1982. 19p. Illus.

CIS 83-875 Szeszenia-Dąbrowska N., Durasiewicz Z., Szubert Z., Wodzyńska K.
Sickness and accident absenteeism among workers in Poland in 1980
Absencja chorobowa i wypadkowa pracowników w Polsce w 1980 roku [in Polish]
There has been an increasing trend in sickness absenteeism in Poland. In 1980 the rate of sickness absenteeism was by 4.2% higher (7.3% for men, 1.1% for women) than the 1979 rate. Using random samples of certificates of temporary disablement, the 1980 rates of sickness and accident absenteeism were analysed with regard to the causes of disablement and to the sex and age of the employees.The data collected also cover absenteeism in certain sectors of the economy and regional differences in absenteeism. Trends over a number of years are also shown.
Zeszyty metodyczno-organizacyjne, 1982, No.2, p.99-147. Illus.

CIS 83-805 Lobato Faria M.G.
Ministry of Labour (Ministério do Trabalho)
Contribution to the study of absenteeism in an iron and steel works (1974-75)
Contribuição para o estudo do absentismo numa empresa siderúrgica (1974 e 1975) [in Portuguese]
Analysis of absenteeism (due to occupational and non-occupational diseases and to occupational accidents) in a Portuguese iron and steel works for the period 1974 to 1975, using 4 criteria: workers' age; length of service; breakdown by manufacturing and administrative sectors; breakdown by the various manufacturing departments according to the task performed. Comparison between indices of workers' presence and indices of disability associated with long and short-term absenteeism.
Serviço de Informação Científica e Técnica (SICT), Praça de Londres 2, 1000 Lisboa, Portugal, 1982. 48p. Illus.

CIS 83-413 Viscusi W.K.
Setting efficient standards for occupational hazards
A review of the cost-benefit factors involved in the standards drawn up by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and proposals as to how regulations should be structured to be efficient, i.e. to maximise overall benefits less costs to society. The OSHA policy on carcinogens, cotton dust and noise are taken as examples of the design and application of standards and are looked into from the points of view of: uncertainties regarding the level of many health hazards; the nature of dose-response relationships; the prospects for cost-reducing technological progress; the appropriate valuation of health effects. It is claimed that, although application of cost-benefit criteria will not eliminate the inadequacies of existing standards, it will help systematic current knowledge and make it possible to determine how optimal policy is affected by changes in current assumptions.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, Dec. 1982, Vol.24, No.12, p.969-976. 18 ref.

CIS 83-591 Wisnieswski J.
Lost days and hours - 1971-1980
Journées et heures perdues - 1971-1980 [in French]
These 2 articles highlight the immediate (indirect) cost of occupational accident and disease induced absenteeism in building and civil engineering workers. The cost is calculated in days and hours of lost work on the basis of statistics drawn up by the French National Sickness Insurance Fund and the Paid Holidays Fund. The trend in work absences over the period 1971-1980 and the features of this trend are also studied. The features noted are that absenteeism of this type is: costly, varied in nature, social, medical, cultural and related to the business cycle.
Cahiers des Comités de prévention du bâtiment et des travaux publics, July-Aug. 1982, No.4, p.159-163, and Sep.-Oct. 1982, No.5, p.224-227. Illus.

1981

CIS 83-380 Greim H.R.
Comparative costs of various noise reduction measures
Kosten alternativer Lärmminderungsmassnahmen [in German]
The variety of recommended noise control measures makes it difficult to reach a choice and leaves the potential user in a quandary as to the effectiveness and cost of individual measures, and their ultimate outcome on working conditions. Following an introduction to the problem and a review of the human and economic effects of noise, this report presents a systematic and objective comparison of existing measures: primary prevention (design, technology), secondary prevention (measures affecting the machine or the interior of the building, organisation and planning, personal protection). The cost of noise reduction measures is discussed and a series of practical examples for machine tools, especially metalworking presses (description of problem, solution and cost) is given.
Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Unfallforschung, Postfach 170202, 4600 Dortmund 17, Federal Republic of Germany, 1981. 230p. Illus. 47 ref. Price: DM.26.50.

CIS 82-1196 Crandall R.W., Lave L.B.
The scientific basis of health and safety regulation
The extent to which scientific data and analysis influence regulatory decisions is discussed in the context of passive restraint devices for automobiles, occupational exposure to cotton dust, sulfur oxide air pollution standards, saccharin as a food additive, and waterborne carcinogens. Scientists summarised evidence on the nature of the risks, economists examined the benefits and costs of proposed regulations, and incumbents or former regulators commented on the adequacy of the information prepared by scientists and economists as a basis for regulatory judgement. The nature of the data required, considerations, other than scientific and economic, that influence regulatory decisions and the roles of scientific and economic analysis in regulation were emphasised.
The Brookings Institution, 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, USA, July 1981. 309p. Illus. Bibl. Price: US-$26.95 (cloth), US-$10.95 (paper).

CIS 82-824 Klen T.
Economic losses due to the occupational accidents in logging
Metsätyötapaturmien aiheuttamat taloudelliset menetykset [in Finnish]
Final report of a study started in 1975. It analyses in depth the cost of labour protection and occupational accidents in forestry on the basis of questionnaire surveys of Finnish labour protection organisations, large firms employing forestry workers and of forestry workers themselves. Economic loss was calculated on the expected number of working hours lost due to death or disability; labour protection costs were interpreted to be the cost of safety equipment. The total costs due to labour protection and occupational accidents in forestry were about 1.5% of the net national product of the forest economy, about 4.5-5% of the wages of the forest economy and 2.5-3% of the raw timber expenses. Although in 1974-1975, the cost of labour protection exceeded that of occupational accidents, it still appears economically viable to invest in accident prevention. Increased expenditure on accident prevention resulted in decreased economic loss due to occupational accidents (r=-0.74).
Työterveyslaitos, Julkaisutoimisto, Laajanlityntie 1, 01620 Vantaa 62, Finland, 1981. 188p. Illus. 173 ref.

CIS 81-1903 Böcker W.
Artificial lighting: ergonomics and energy savings
Künstliche Beleuchtung: ergonomisch und energiesparend [in German]
Following a review of the principles of illumination engineering, the effect of various characteristics of lighting systems on workers' health and welfare are considered: illumination level, luminance distribution, glare and reflection, light direction and contrast, light colour and colour rendering, microclimate. Description of influencing factors and methods of calculating ergonomic lighting conditions, and review of cost factors in lighting systems. Emergency lighting, luminosity control, light measurement and installation maintenance are also considered.
Campus Verlag GmbH, Schumannstrasse 65, 6000 Frankfurt 1, Federal Republic of Germany, 1981. 153p. Illus. 14 ref.

1980

CIS 84-532 Injuries and illnesses in the coal mining industry: Alberta, 1972-1979
The accident record of the surface and underground coal mining industry was analysed using official statistical data. The number of workers employed underground has declined while employment in surface mining has remained constant. Numbers of accident claims filed with the Alberta Workers Compensation Board by underground miners have declined and have been outnumbered since 1976 by claims from the surface industry. Most fatalities and permanent disability accidents occur in underground mining; in the 1973-1979 period there were 41 fatalities of which 31 occurred underground. 52% of all underground fatalities resulted from silicosis. Although coal mining is becoming more productive, the data analysed do not suggest that significant changes are occurring in the number of accidents per unit of labour. Despite increased efficiency, the problem of reducing health and safety hazards associated with underground mining still exists.
Alberta Workers' Health, Safety and Compensation, Occupational Health and Safety Division, 10709 Jasper Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3N3, Canada, June 1980. 38p. Illus.

CIS 81-2097 Rieger W.
Economic effects of occupational accidents
Wirtschaftliche Folgen von Arbeitsunfällen [in German]
The cost categories and items involved in accident cost calculation are listed and 3 typical accidents are presented (fall due to defective scaffolding, injury due to the cave-in of a trench wall and injury caused by a nail protruding from a plank) together with a calculation of the relevant costs. The high cost such common accidents is emphasised and compared with the minimal cost of the necessary safety measures.
Tiefbau-Berufsgenossenschaft, Sep. 1980, Vol.92, No.9, p.756-762.

CIS 81-637 Duteil H.
Cost of woodworking machine accidents and safety techniques
Le coût des accidents et la sécurité aux machines à bois. [in French]
Statistics concerning woodworking machine accidents (1977 frequency rate in France: 11) and their cost; analysis of these accidents in relation to type of wood and its properties; some safety principles applicable to: circular saws, planing machines, spindle moulders. Emphasis is laid on operators' skills and training. Brief review of pertinent French legislation.
APAVE, Oct.-Nov.-Dec. 1980, Vol.61, No.212, p.73-77.

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