Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6975054 | Safety Science | 2018 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
We present a retrospective analysis of records on occupational accidents from the Swedish Poisons Information Centre. The aim was to explore these data as a means for surveillance of accidents and incidents with chemicals at the workplace. We extracted data on all telephone consultations regarding occupational incidents (nâ¯=â¯8240) during 2010-2014. One third of the calls were made by health care staff (31%) and two thirds were made by the public (69%). For the latter group, about half (54%) received advice on how to manage on site. One out of five workplace incidents were assessed by the operating expert (pharmacists and physicians) as a major risk for severe symptoms. The three most commonly reported chemical groups were alkali (nâ¯=â¯1510, excluding ammonia), hydrocarbons (nâ¯=â¯1129, including halogenated hydrocarbons) and acids (nâ¯=â¯984). Eye exposure was the most common exposure route recorded (nâ¯=â¯3049), followed by inhalation (nâ¯=â¯2635) and skin (nâ¯=â¯1438). Data from the Swedish Poisons Information Centre offers insights about occupational accidents and incidents with chemical products and also include a higher number of accidents in absolute numbers as compared with the official injury statistics. With a clear focus on type of poisoning agent, treatment and health effects, poisons information data may serve as a means for surveillance on chemical incidents at the workplace.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Health and Safety
Authors
Linda Schenk, Karin Feychting, Anita Annas, Mattias Ãberg,