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Application of two secondary documentary sources to identify the underreporting of fatal occupational injuries in cape town, south africa
Author(s) -
Lerer Leonard B.,
Myers Jonathan E.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700260409
Subject(s) - medicine , cape , occupational safety and health , environmental health , occupational exposure , occupational accident , medical emergency , archaeology , occupational medicine , pathology , geography
We reviewed 8,502 deaths registered at the Salt River state mortuary, Cape Town (medical examiner records) for an 18‐month period (1/1/90–6/30/91). When fatal occupational injuries located from this data source were matched with the records of the occupational safety inspectorate of the Department of Manpower, it was found that 28% had not been reported in terms of statutory regulations. Unreported deaths accounted for 25% of all fatal occupational injuries in the construction industry. None of the fatal occupational injuries in agriculture and fishing had been reported. Falls constituted 45% of the unreported fatalities. High levels of unreported fatal occupational injury indicate deficiencies in current occupational safety surveillance and enforcement in South Africa.