Future trends in accident research in European countries

Abstract

Singleton, W.T., 1984. Future trends in accident research in European countries. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 6: 3–12. In all European countries there has been extensive growth in accident studies since about 1970. This was stimulated and was also made possible by the increasing affluence of the period. Most of this work was practical and pragmatic with an emphasis on the collection and collation of data from real situations. The inevitable result has been in creased awareness of the industrial situation but a dearth of new theoretical concepts. Most current theories are of the “systems” type which can explain anything but predict nothing. For the remainder of this century studies are likely to be much more tightly controlled and assessed in cost/benefit terms with an emphasis on the epidemiological approach of monitoring the statistical situation to detect new hazards. The research emphasis will probably switch from accidents to the occupational diseases consequent upon the vast increase in the use of new chemicals in industry.