This chapter presents methodological descriptions of the national statistics of occupational injuries published by the ILO in the Yearbook of Labour Statistics. The format of each description is as follows:

Organization responsible for the statistics

The name of the national authority (or authorities) responsible for collecting the data and for compiling and publishing the statistics.

Periodicity

The frequency with which the data are compiled and published.

Source

The name of the source of the statistics: generally, an accident compensation scheme or labour inspectorate, but for a few countries, it is a survey of establishments.

Objectives and users

The main objectives of compiling the statistics and their principal users, as stated by the countries.

Coverage

Persons:

the types of workers covered by the statistics, such as all persons employed, all employees, manual workers, and any groups which are excluded; in addition, the number of persons covered, where available.

Economic activities:

the economic activities and sectors covered by the statistics, and any groups of activities or sectors which are excluded.

Geographic areas:

the geographic coverage of the statistics, i.e. the whole country or territory, and any areas which are excluded.

In addition, information on the treatment in the national statistics of victims of occupational accidents occurring outside the national territory, i.e. those persons who are injured while working abroad temporarily or travelling on business.

Establishments:

the types and sizes of establishments covered, such as all types and sizes of establishments, those above a specified size of employment.

Other:

any other aspects limiting the coverage of the statistics, for example in the rules governing accident compensation, such ash as the application of earnings thresholds, or in the labour legislation.

Types of occupational accidents covered

The types of occupational accidents covered by the statistics, and whether the data relate to reported or compensated injuries due to these accidents; where relevant, the inclusion of occupational diseases or commuting accidents is indicated.

Concepts and definitions

The national terms used in connection with occupational injuries, how they are defined and the sources of the definitions.

Also, the minimum period of absence from work, if any, for a case of occupational injury to be included in the statistics, such as an absence of more than one day, two days or three days, and the maximum period after an occupational accident, if any, during which a death resulting from that accident is considered to be a fatal occupational injury, such as one month, three months or one year.

Types of information compiled

The types of information which are compiled from the information reported on occupational injuries, under the following subheadings:

(a) personal characteristics of persons injured: such as age, sex, occupation, seniority;

(b) amount of worktime lost: the number of days of absence from work as a result of the injury;

(c) characteristics of accidents: such as the time of day, day of the week, the type of accident, the agency associated with the accident;

(d) characteristics of injuries: such as the nature of the injury, the part of body injured and the severity of the injury;

(e) characteristics of employers or workplaces: such as the economic activity, sector, the type of location, the number of persons employed at the workplace;

(f) other characteristics: such as region.

Measurement of worktime lost

The unit of measure used, such as the workday or calendar day, and whether, in addition to cases of temporary incapacity to work, worktime lost is estimated or measured for cases of permanent incapacity to work or death. Where relevant, the method used for measuring worktime for each of these categories, as well as the treatment of temporary absences of less than a day for medical care.

Classifications

The types and details of classifications used in the national statistics, as well as any crossclassifications:

(a) fatal or non-fatal accidents;

(b) extent of disability;

(c) economic activity;

(d) occupation;

(e) type of injury;

(f) cause of accident;

(g) duration of absence from work;

(h) characteristics of workers;

(i) characteristics of accidents;

(j) characteristics of employers or workplaces;

(k) other classifications.

Reference period

The period or periods for which the national statistics are compiled, such as a month, a quarter or a year. In addition, the period in which an occupational injury is included, such as the period in which the accident occurred, in which the injury was reported or in which compensation was first paid for the injury, as well as the period or periods in which worktime lost is included, such as the period in which the accident occurred, each of the periods during which worktime was lost, or the period when the person returned to work.

Estimates

The types of estimates which are made on the basis of the data compiled, such as totals, averages, percentage distributions and rates of injury, as well as their methods of computation.

Historical background of the series

The origin of the series is described, including, where available, the starting date and the initial objectives of compiling the data. Also, details of the date and nature of any major changes and revisions that have occurred (for example, in the coverage of the statistics, the concepts or classifications used).

Documentation

Series available:

a list of the major series appearing in the national publications.

Bibliographic references:

the names of the national publications in which the statistics appear, as well as those in which methodological information is provided. In addition, information on whether all data compiled are published and whether extracts can be made available either in printed form or on diskette, etc.

Data published by ILO:

the types of data that are furnished regularly to the ILO for publication in the Yearbook of Labour Statistics.

Confidentiality:

any restrictions on the publication or release of data, usually in the form of confidentiality rules or regulations.

International standards

The international statistical standards or guidelines that were taken into account, if any, when the system for collecting and compiling the statistics was designed or revised, and the employers' and workers' organizations that were consulted during this process.

Method of data collection

The procedures and organization of data collection. Information is provided on any legal obligations to report an occupational injury; the methods used for reporting; the types of information reported; survey methods used; and any changes planned in the next few years.

Additional information

Information about other national sources of data on occupational injuries which may complement the source described in this chapter.