[Underreporting of occupational injuries to the Labour Inspection].

BACKGROUND

The Labour Inspection investigates occupational accidents and publishes injury statistics annually. Information is based upon two main sources: Copies of reports to the National Insurance Service and mandatory reports from employers to the Labour Inspection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Occupational injuries treated by Oslo Emergency Ward and Oslo Ambulance Service during a period of three months were compared with injuries recorded by the Labour Inspection.

RESULTS

Four months after the end of the study period, the Labour Inspection had received reports from the National Insurance Service on 150 (13%) of the 1,153 injuries recorded by Oslo Emergency Ward/Oslo Ambulance Service. Among all injuries registered, 208 were serious according to the criteria of the Labour Inspection. Only 19 (9%) of these were reported directly to the Labour Inspection from employers in accordance with the legal requirement. The study recorded 17 serious injuries caused by violence affecting employees; none of these were reported directly to the Labour Inspection.

INTERPRETATION

Data on occupational injuries collected by the Labour Inspection are far from complete. In Oslo alone, the Labour Inspection may annually overlook some 900-1,000 serious injuries. Data quality can be improved and delayed reporting avoided by using information from doctors and medical institutions that provide treatment.