Workplace Damage: Analysis, Prevention, and Reporting

Analysis and prevention of damage caused by work.

Prevent workers from suffering any injury while on the job. This requires participation from all stakeholders: workers, technicians, and employers. Prevention organizations (e.g., mutual insurance companies, INSHT) and relevant legislation (local, regional, national, European) also play a crucial role.

Understanding Workplace Damage

Direct Damage: Workplace Accidents

Legal Definition of Workplace Accident

Any injury workers suffer in connection with or as a consequence of the work performed for others. Also considered accidents:

• In itinere (on the way to/from work)
• While performing trade union duties
• During professional performance in rescue acts
• When suffering an occupational disease not officially recognized but clearly due to a specific work situation
• At another workplace during working hours

What is Not a Workplace Accident?

Not considered accidents:

• Circumstances unrelated to work
• Employee fraud or willful misconduct

Accident Definition: Safety Viewpoint

Random, unexpected, and unwanted events that occur abruptly, interrupting the continuity of work and potentially causing harm to people and property. These are usually avoidable. This definition includes "incidents" or "near misses" that do not cause injury to the worker.

Consequences of Workplace Accidents

Losses from an accident:

• Material: Time, equipment damage, loss of materials.
• Personal:
  • Direct Effects: Temporary disability, permanent partial disability, permanent total disability, severe disability, death.
  • Indirect Effects: Lost wages, decreased performance, loss of skills, inadequacy.

Injury Classification by Severity

Another injury classification:

• Low incidence, low severity
• High likelihood, low severity
• Low incidence, high severity (potentially deadly)

Occupational Diseases Explained

A consequence of paid employment activity in specific work environments. Often difficult to diagnose, with slow evolution, and can be mistaken for common illnesses. For a disease to be classified as occupational, it must be listed in the official table of occupational diseases. Examples:

• Silicosis: Repeated inhalation of silica dust.
• Saturnism (Lead Poisoning): Ingestion or inhalation of lead.
• Occupational Deafness: Exposure to high noise levels.
• Skin Cancer: Exposure to carcinogens.
• Asbestosis: Inhalation of asbestos dust.

Indirect Workplace Damage

Stress, fatigue, inadequate training, job dissatisfaction.

Workplace Safety Documentation

Official Accident Reporting

Related to workplace accidents:

• Workplace Accident Report: Required when a worker is absent for at least one day. Submitted the day after the accident.
• List of Accidents Without Injuries: Submitted monthly, covering only accidents without casualties.
• Reports for Serious or Fatal Accidents: Submitted monthly.

Official Occupational Disease Reporting

Related to occupational diseases:

• Occupational Disease Report: Required upon diagnosis of an occupational disease.

Internal Workplace Safety Records

Other documentation:

• Internal Accident Report: Tailored to each company. Not legally required but recommended. Should include comprehensive information: description, identification, location, equipment involved, causes, possible solutions.
• Accident Log: A record of all incidents.
• Accident Registration Card: A summary record per incident.