Accidents at work related to violence – Analysis of Finnish national accident statistics database

Abstract

The current trends, prevalence and information retrieval possibilities for accidents at work in Finland, related to violence, are analysed using data from the national occupational accident statistics database. The analysis includes years 2003 and 2006. The data were gathered using accident description analysis. Descriptive statistics and comparisons with employee distributions were used in the data analysis. Information retrieval possibilities were analysed in terms of precision and recall. The results indicate that the number of accidents at work related to violence, especially those involving women, has increased in Finland. Increased reporting and changes in the labour market and working life are likely to explain at least part of this increase. The coverage of the Finnish occupational accident statistics database appears to have improved along with the implementation of European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW) methodology. However, information about violence-related accidents at work is difficult to obtain with the current accident classification codes in use. It is recommended that more precise codes for violence-related accidents at work are included in the Finnish implementation of ESAW methodology. Reliable estimation of the violence-related accident trends will require regular repetition of similar analyses. Reliable information is necessary to determine the effectiveness of preventative actions.