Accidents at work in the period 2002-2011 in petrochemical sector workers: considerations on the phenomenon and preventive measures

Abstract

Background: in recent years, Italy has shown a reduction in the number of accidents as a whole, including fatal accidents. However, there are many factors that determine the frequency and severity of accidents: general economic conditions, technological innovation, rhythms and shift work, productive sector, company size, age of the workers, the task being performed, and others. Objectives: the objective of this study is to examine the available data in the database INAIL on accidents that occurred in the period 2002-2011 in the petrochemical industry, to assess the possible risk factors for work-related injuries in this specific production sector, and any possible preventive measures. Materials and Methods: the present study analyses the trend of injuries in workers in the petrochemical industry from 2002 to 2011, taking into account the number of events reported and recognized, the defined consequences, the geographical distribution and the task. To identify areas of research, we selected 11 classifications used by INAIL to determine rates of insurance premiums attributable to activities in the petrochemical industry (items 2191, 2193, 2194, 2195, 2196, 2197, 2154, 2145, 2141, 2146, 3620). The risk of working in the petrochemical industry can be broadly divided into two categories: I) risk in refineries; II) risk in petrochemical complexes. The occupational hazards in refineries depend substantially on flammability of materials; occupational hazards in the petrochemical complexes are more numerous, because of processes and classes of products that are characterized not only for flammability, but also for toxicity. Results: the data from INAIL relating to the period 2002-2011 show a dramatic decline in the overall incidence of accidents, in cases defined as temporary and without permanent consequences. However, cases with permanent disability were up to 5%; cases with permanent disability were up to more than 5% and the fatal cases appear almost constant. Therefore, the preventive measures taken may have had some good results on the total number of accidents, but on the other hand, it is an almost constant trend of medium and serious injuries, and death. Discussion: the data show that risks persist and are perhaps hardly capable of reduction for events with serious injury or death, probably related to the specific production circumstances. However, this could result from an underestimation of more minor injuries, not reported to INAIL. Conclusions: the target remains an effective preventive action, in the context of a business inspired by the values of “social responsibility”, raising awareness among companies on the costs of lack of security and emphasizing the economic and social benefits linked to good policies of prevention.