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Many ergonomists feel the need to prove the economical benefits of their work. However, mathematical models are scarce, and calculations are not as simple as they should like. In the Netherlands two studies were carried out to estimate the costs of (poor) working conditions nationwide respectively for the building and construction industry. These studies learned a lot about possibilities and impossibilities for such calculations. A model was developed, in which are incorporated the work related costs of: absenteeism, occupational disability, medical care, the material damage as a result of occupational accidents, effects on productivity, prevention:
In the paper several aspects of approximations and calculations of these costs are described. Benchmarking of results of the Dutch construction industry versus the national data makes clear that the great expenses for prevention over the pas years have resulted in a substantial decrease of the costs of absenteeism and occupational accidents. References KONINGSVELD EAP, THE K, VAN DUIVENBOODEN, JC. The macro costs of working environment for the building and construction industry. To be published by Elsevier in 1999. This paper appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent. eLCOSH is an information clearinghouse. eLCOSH and its sponsors are not responsible for the accuracy of information provided on this web site, nor for its use or misuse. |