Accidents and event-to-report time in a university

Abstract

Background: Occupational injuries are one of the worldwide problems and are often under-reported. Moreover, accident reports are seldom analyzed and utilized as they should.
Objectives: The present study aimed to analyze epidemiologically by time, place and person, and event-to-report time of accidents reported in a university in fiscal year 2019.
Methods: This study gathered accidents reported to Center for Safety, Health and Environment of a public university between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019, then analyzed epidemiologically by time, place and person, and analyzed event-to-report time.
Results: Thirty-three cases were reported in fiscal year 2019. Most of them occurred in the afternoon (1:00 – 4:00 pm) in Faculty A. Chemicals were the most frequent hazard. Students were the major group that got involved in the accident. However, most accidents were minor. Unfortunately, event-to-report time was quite long, with median (interquartile range) of 55 (129) hours.
Conclusion: The event-to-report time of reported accidents was delayed. The university should communicate this to all faculties and associated departments to raise their understanding and cooperating in timely accident report, investigation, surveillance, and prevention continuously.