Citation

Leger J-P, Macun I. J. Occup. Accid. 1990; 11(3): 197-220.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Accurate accident statistics are necessary to measure safety performance at the national, regional and sector levels; to identify accident causes for prevention initiatives by government, management and labour organisations; and to identify occupational groups exposed to above average risks.Published accident statistics in South Africa and their trends over the past 40 years are investigated. The disabling injury frequency rate (DIFR), calculated from workers compensation returns, is the most frequently used index for drawing conclusions about accident trends and for comparing local safety performance with other countries. Analysis reveals inconsistencies in compiling compensated accidents statistics which particularly influence the DIFR and result in a DIFR for "all industries" lower than the rate actually experienced.Fatality rates published by the factory inspectorate from 1962 until 1982 (when publication of incidence data stopped) show that the fatality rate in manufacturing has not declined significantly. Analysis of manufacturing sub-sectors shows that in most the fatality rate either remained static or, in fact, deteriorated. However, DIFRs for the manufacturing sector as a whole and for each sub-sector improved steadily.When analysing accident trends greater emphasis should be placed upon fatality rate data to obviate unwarranted conclusions. Recommendations are made to improve accident reporting and for publishing the data currently collected so as to pursue more effective accident prevention strategies.