Methodological descriptions of the national statistics of occupational injuries disseminated by the ILO are produced and updated on the basis of information supplied by the relevant national organizations in response to special questionnaires. Information is also drawn from other sources, including national and international publications and Web sites, and other official documents provided to the ILO.

The main aim of producing these descriptions is to provide basic information on the sources and methods used in each country in compiling the statistics of occupational injuries disseminated by the ILO, so as to enhance the usefulness of these data for different purposes, and to indicate the differences between the national series as regards their coverage, definitions, methods of measurement, methods of data collection, reference periods, etc.

A synoptic table presents the essential features of the coverage of the statistics appearing in the latest issue of the Yearbook of Labour Statistics.

Each description follows the same format, using standard sections and headings, as follows:

Organization responsible for the statistics

The name of the national authority/ies 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, the source is one or more accident compensation schemes or a labour inspectorate; in 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 country.

Coverage

The coverage of the statistics, as determined by their source:

Persons: the types of workers covered, e.g. all persons employed, all employees, or manual workers; any groups excluded; the number of persons covered, where available.

Economic activities: the economic activities and sectors covered; any activities and/or sectors excluded.

Geographic areas: the geographic coverage, e.g. the whole country or territory; any areas excluded; in addition, information on the treatment in the national statistics of victims of occupational accidents occurring outside the national territory, e.g. persons injured while working abroad temporarily or travelling on business.

Establishments: the types and sizes of establishments covered, e.g. all types and sizes of establishments, those above a specified size of employment.

Other: any other aspects limiting the coverage of the statistics, e.g. in the rules governing accident compensation, such as the application of earnings thresholds, or in the labour legislation.

Types of occupational accidents covered

The types of occupational accidents covered; whether the data relate to reported injuries or compensated injuries; where relevant, the inclusion of occupational diseases and/or commuting accidents.

Concepts and definitions

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

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, if any, after an occupational accident, 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 compiled from the information reported on occupational injuries, under the following subheadings:

(a) personal characteristics of persons injured: age, sex, occupation, seniority, etc.;

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

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

(d) characteristics of injuries: nature of injury, part of body injured, severity of injury, etc.;

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

(f) other characteristics: e.g. region, economic costs of accidents.

Measurement of worktime lost

The unit of measure used, e.g. workday or calendar day; whether, in addition to cases of temporary incapacity, worktime lost is estimated or measured for cases of permanent incapacity or death; Where relevant, the method used for measuring worktime lost 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, and 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(s) for which national statistics are compiled, such as a month, a quarter or a year; 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; the period(s) 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 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, including the starting date and the initial objectives of compiling the data; the date and nature of any major changes and revisions that have occurred (e.g. 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 and Web sites.

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

The address of the national Web site in which the statistics appear.

Data published by ILO: the types of data that are available in the ILO, usually 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; any legal obligations to report an occupational injury; the methods used for reporting; the types of information reported; where relevant, the survey methods used; 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 above.