Occupational health nurses and accident prevention: an inventory of activities in one industrial sector in Sweden.

Swedish occupational health nurses with responsibility for slaughterhouse/meat industry companies (the sector with the highest rate of occupational accidents in the country) devote only 5% of their working time, at most, to accidents and accident risks. The nurse, in comparison with the physiotherapist and safety engineer at the same Occupational Health Services (OHS) unit: works in a greater number of work environment areas; works with primary prevention and provides post-accident assistance; and works more frequently and extensively with other people. The strengths of the occupational health nurse's role are such that they can make an active contribution to the development and expansion of accident prevention activities, and promote further cooperation within OHS and between OHS and employees.