Sector: health service

Type of hazard: work-related health hazards

Catchwords: prevention, industrial accident, risk assessment

Status: completed 12/1997

Financed by: Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege

Research institution(s): Lehrstuhl für Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Description, key words:

Causal analysis of accidents on the way to or from work (traffic accidents), work organisation, doctor/dentist

Aims:

Frequency of accidents on the way to or from work/accidents while travelling on work-related business of which 85 % of fatal accidents are apportioned to individuals insured through the institution for statutory accident insurance and prevention in the health and welfare service. Goal: proof of the involvement of changeable operational factors within the practice in the increased risk of accidents on the way to and from work and accidents while travelling on work-related business; determining measures relevant to small businesses using the experience and ideas of employees and employers (doctors)

Activities/methods:

Survey of 1000 medical/dental practices (questionnaire campaign, expert and group interviews); analysis of the cause of accidents; determining appropriate measures at an operational level within the practice and accompanying measures of the institution for statutory accident insurance and prevention.

Results:

Age, sex and route have the greatest influence on the risk of accidents. Following these in particular come "negative stress" i.e. high level of occupational stress with time pressure, dissatisfaction and poor working atmosphere, which are correlated with increased accident figures; women with young children and doctors working long hours are at particular risk. These factors can be positively influenced through organisational measures at work.

Publications:

Genz, H.O.: Verkehrssicherheit. Die BG (1997) Nr. 12, S. 724-726

last update: 22.08.2000