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Helsinki (14.09.2001 -
Juhani Artto) A total of 4,993 cases of occupational illness were reported
in Finland in 2000. This was four per cent lower than in the previous
year. The annual incidence rate in 2000 was 21 cases per 10,000 employed
workers (23 in 1999). Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of the registered
cases were involved male sufferers. The average age of the
male victims was 47 years, while among women this was 42 years. This
difference is mainly due to the higher male rate of asbestosis and
noise-induced hearing loss, both of which are concentrated in older age
bands. The most common
occupational illnesses were repetitive strain injuries (1,489 cases), with
a ten per cent increase observed from 1999. Occupational skin
diseases totalled 935 cases, down seven per cent from 1999. 60 per cent of
the victims in this category were women. There were 858 cases
of noise-induced hearing loss, which was 14 per cent less than in 1999. The amount of cases of
asbestosis decreased by eight per cent to 592. There were 565 cases
of allergic respiratory illness, representing a 25 per cent fall from the
1999 figure. Work-related
carcinomas were reported in 116 cases, which was the same number as in
1999. As in 1999 clearly the
highest incidence rate by industrial sector was in food, drink and tobacco
processing. This reached a level approaching 80 cases per 10,000 employed
workers. This was followed by mineral mining, agriculture and forestry,
production of transport equipment, production of non-metallurgic mineral
products, construction work, production of metal and metal products and
production of lumber and wood products - all exceeding an incident rate of
40 cases per 10,000 employed workers. In absolute figures,
the three worst sectors for occupational illness were public and other
services (911 cases), agriculture and forestry (777) and construction work
(644). Source:
Karjalainen, Aalto, Jolanki, Keskinen, Mäkinen, Saalo: Ammattitaudit 2000
[Occupational illnesses 2000], Työterveyslaitos [Finnish Institute of
Occupational Health]. For further details contact Dr. Antti
Karjalainen (antti.karjalainen@occuphealth.fi). The website of the
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health has material in Finnish, Swedish
and English. Read also:
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Documents of the SAK 16th Congress 28-30.5.2001 Ten years of working conditions in the European Union, Eurofound's research summary (pdf-file) In terms of real property, one Finland equals two Nokias, Helsingin Sanomat 08.01.2001 The growth of the Finnish economy did not eradicate unemployment, Helsingin Sanomat 03.01.2001 Only one Finn in nine actually retire as late as 65, Helsingin Sanomat 02.01.2001 Incomes policy agreement approved; The incomes policy agreement in a nutshell;The economic backgrounf of the incomes policy agreement SAK 15.12.2000 Collective bargaining in Finland 1999-2000, Pekka Sauramo, Labour Institute for Economic Research, Helsinki (pdf-file) Working environment greater cause of absenteeism than lifestyle Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 05.12.2000 New job creation down 50 % this year Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 01.12.2000 Made in Hong Finland Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 28.11.2000 Bars and restaurants among Finland's most hazardous work places Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 27.11.2000 Finland faces labour shortage in all sectors in 2005 Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 23.11.2000 New two-year incomes agreement announced Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 17.11.2000 Increased disparities in wealth distribution Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 09.11.2000 Floating shopping centers might become a thing of the past Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 24.10.2000 SAK member unions vote to go with two-year wage deal Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 03.10.2000 National Economy and State Finances Ministry of Finance Occupational Safety and Health Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Dispute highlights threats to Finnish seafarers' jobs eironline Strikes break out as bargaining round nears conclusion eironline "Barometer" examines industrial relations in Baltic states eironline Strike levels fall in 1999 eironline Action programme launched to promote "ability to cope" at work eironline SAK computer campaign proves successful eironline European working time conference held in Helsinki eironline
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