A recent study shows that the cost of work-related deaths to Swedish society is SEK 8.5 billion in lost productivity alone in the period 2008–2019.
“More resources for prevention would save billions, in addition to reducing human suffering," says Mahmoud Rezagholi at University of Gävle
Mahmoud Rezagholi estimated the costs in terms of lost productivity in the 543 fatal workplace accidents in Sweden between 2008 and 2019. In addition to administrative costs, insurance claims and medical costs, he found an additional SEK 8.5 billion in lost productivity alone.
543 fatal workplace accidents in Sweden mean 10 863 lost working years, which generates a high economic cost for Swedish society. Rezagholi claims that this cost is not made visible in the few and often inadequate reports that exist.
“When a young person is involved in a fatal workplace accident, a long and productive working life is lost too. Acknowledging these real costs to society is essential to understanding the need to invest more in preventing workplace accidents.”
“Every fatal accident is a tragedy; no one should have to lose their lives at work. My aim is to clarify that a preventive approach to the aspects of health and safety at work gives an enormous return in increased national income and welfare” Mahmoud Rezagholi concludes.
A Norwegian study estimates the total cost of health and safety deficiencies to the Norwegian society at NOK 75 billion and the annual cost of Norwegian health and safety measures at NOK 30 billion.
According to the Swedish Work Environment Authority, four sectors had the highest rate of fatal accidents between 2011 and 2020:
Men aged between 55 and 64 working in one-man businesses, or businesses with few employees, are the main victims of fatal accidents at work. Over the last decade, nine out of ten people involved in fatal accidents at work have been men.
Truck drivers have been the most vulnerable to fatal accidents over time. A total of 66 truck and lorry drivers lost their lives at work in the last decade. Other occupations affected include crop and livestock farmers, construction workers, construction equipment operators, forestry workers, maintenance mechanics, machine repairers, plumbers, and firefighters
Text: Douglas Öhrbom
Mahmoud Rezagholi, researcher in economics at University of Gävle
Phone: 072-001 07 21
E-mail: Mahmoud Rezagholi@hig.se
