[Causes of occupational injuries in Spain: a longitudinal analysis with panel data]

To investigate the influence of several personal and occupational characteristics on the occurrence of occupation injuries, expressed in different categories (minor, serious, fatal and overall) by applying tools that are widely used in economic analyses.

Panel data were used to estimate occupational injuries in an aggregate manner: both by regions and occupational categories and by industries and occupational categories. Data on occupational injuries were drawn from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs while the remaining information was drawn from the Workforce Population Survey for all quarters from 1999 to 2002.

Permanent workers, male workers, public sector employees and those with secondary education or who had received on-the-job training were safer at their workplaces. Male and foreign workers were at greater risk of occupational injuries. The risk of serious or fatal accidents was reduced by greater work experience and was increased by working longer hours.

Prevention would help to reduce the risk of accidents in temporary, male, private-sector and foreign workers. To reduce the incidence of serious and fatal accidents, the number of hours worked should be limited, especially in employees without extensive work experience.