The document discusses a study estimating the costs of work-related injuries and diseases in five European countries. It finds that such costs amount to 2.3-5.0% of GDP in the countries studied, with direct costs to workers and their families representing the largest share. Common work-related illnesses like cancer and musculoskeletal disorders are among the biggest drivers of costs. The study aims to highlight for policymakers the significant economic impact of poor occupational safety and health, as well as the business case for improving OSH practices.

1. Safety and health at work is everyone’s concern. It’s good for you. It’s good for business.
Estimation of the costs of work-related injuries and
diseases in five countries
WOS 2019, Wien
Dietmar Elsler, Prevention and Research Unit, EU-OSHA

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Background of EU-OSHA activity on costs and
benefits of OSH
 Strategic background
• Europe 2020 Strategy: More and better jobs
• European Commission Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at
Work 2014-2020
• EU-OSHA Multi Annual Strategic Programme 2014-2020
 Objectives
• Provide policy makers with relevant information on the economic
impact of poor or non-OSH at macro level.
• Highlight contribution of OSH to improving productivity and
competitiveness and thus increase the OSH motivation of enterprises
• Raise awareness about the costs of non-OSH among policy makers
outside the field of OSH.

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Global estimate 2017: global 3.9 % and EU28 3.3% of GDP

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Mortality: deaths resulting from work-related injury and illness (number of fatalities)
https://visualisation.osha.europa.eu/osh-costs#!/

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EU estimates – Analysis by illnesses
Main work-related illnesses and DALY (Years of life lost and lived with disability) per 100,000
workers (EU28 + Iceland and Norway)

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Cancer is the
biggest killer with
most fatal cases per
year in EU28,
followed by
Circulatory
illnesses.
Also, Cancer has
the highest DALY
(Years of Life Lost
or Years lived with
Disability)
Main work-related illnesses and injuries resulting in death and in DALY

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Cost estimation 2019 – % of GDP by country
(without intangible costs)
Poland
5.0%
GDP
Germany
2.7% GDP
Finland
2.3%
GDP
The
Netherlands
2.7% GDP
Italy
4.0%
GDP
Country GDP Total Cost
(In million)
Finland 2.3% € 4,846
Germany 2.7% € 81,572
The Netherlands 2.7% € 18,605
Italy 4.0% € 67,452
Poland 5.0% € 21,470

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Cost estimation 2019 – costs by stakeholder
63% 61%
73% 67%
79%
22% 20%
15% 20%
11%
15% 19% 13% 13% 10%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Finland Germany Netherland Italy Poland
Worker Employer Society

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Cost estimation 2019 - definition of cost categories
Direct costs
• Healthcare costs (society/insurer)
• Overhead costs (society/insurer)
• Informal care giving (worker/family)
• Out of pocket costs healthcare products (worker/family)
Indirect costs
• Wages and Salaries (worker, society)
• Payroll/fringe benefits (worker/family)
• Employer adjustment costs (employer)
• Insurance administration costs (society/insurer)
• Home production losses (worker/family)
• Presenteeism (employer)
Intangible costs
• Monetary value of Quality Adjusted Life Years (worker/family)

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Bottom-up model – type of costs by country
Finland
Direct cost Indirect cost Intangible cost
Germany
Direct cost Indirect cost Intangible cost
The Netherlands
Direct cost Indirect cost Intangible cost
Italy
Direct cost Indirect cost Intangible cost
Poland
Direct cost Indirect cost Intangible cost

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Bottom-up model – per case and per employed person
€2,479.00 €2,664.00 €2,855.00
€4,667.00
€2,722.00
€0
€500
€1,000
€1,500
€2,000
€2,500
€3,000
€3,500
€4,000
€4,500
€5,000
Per employed person

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Conclusions
 The cost to society is significant for the EU
EURO 476 billion, 3,3% of GDP
 The main cost driver is work-related cancer,
followed by MSDs
 Workers and their families have the highest burden of
all stakeholders
 Promote positive business case for OSH at
•Enterprise level
•Society level

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Dr. Dietmar Elsler
Project Manager
European Agency for
Safety and Health at Work
http://osha.europa.eu/
E-mail:
elsler@osha.europa.eu