Journal of Occupational Accidents, 6 (1984) v-vi Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands

PREFACE

This book is a collection of papers and abstracts of reports to the Inter- national Seminar on Occupational Accident Research held at Saltsjobaden, Sweden, on September 5-9,1983.

The seminar was organized by the Swedish Work Environment Fund, together with the Occupational Accident Research Unit of the Royal Insti- tute of Technology in Stockholm. The terms of reference of the Swedish Work Environment Fund are to support research and development work which could contribute to creating more humane working conditions in Sweden. The Occupational Accident Research Unit was established in 1978 to carry out research, development and information activities within the area of occupational accidents.

The purpose of the seminar was to provide an opportunity to exchange experience and knowledge and to stimulate communication between scien- tists in the field of occupational accidents. A more specific purpose was to evaluate different theoretical and methodological approaches in accident research.

The seminar consisted of an introductory session, five special sessions and a closing session. The themes of the special sessions were selected from the results of a survey directed at Swedish accident researchers. They cover a variety of basic theoretical and methodological questions in accident re- search; i.e. evaluation of accident prevention strategies, validity and utility of theories and models of accidents, research application of occupational injury data systems, research strategies and methods applied to fall accidents, and safety effects of new production technology. These themes were ad- dressed in approximately 50 presentations by invited lecturers and other participants. They represent various basic disciplines and are active in the study of occupational accidents as well as traffic, home and leisure-time accidents.

Accidents at work are still a serious problem. Severe accidents have become less common in Sweden, but the general accident rate has remained stable during the last decade. Substantial efforts to reduce and eliminate the effects of accidents have been made and must continue. Research is a valuable means of finding out directions for future efforts in accident prevention.

Many studies carried out within the field of occupational accidents aim at solving specific and urgent accident problems. Within the scientific com- munity there is an increasing awareness of the need for a theoretical and methodological development in order to make the generalization of results from single studies possible. An international exchange of information and experience is important in this work, especially for a small country like Sweden.

The reports to the seminar are published with the aim of widening and

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intensifying discussions of the development and future directions of oc- cupational accident research.

We are indebted to many individuals for any success achieved by the seminar and this publication. First of all, we gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the lecturers and other participants. They were most cooperative in following our guidelines regarding preprints before the presen- tations and the revision of the reports for publication. We are very grateful to the members of the organizing committee and the organizers of the special sessions for their important roles in holding the seminar and producing this publication. The efforts of the session chairmen are also appreciated. Mem- bers of the staff of the Swedish Work Environment Fund were of invaluable assistance.

Urban Kjelle’n Occupational Accident Research Unit

Bo Oscarsson Swedish Work Environment Fund