[Losses caused by absenteeism due to accidents in a metalworking plant]

The Index of work accidents, defined as the product of frequency rate by severity rate, is calculated so as to estimate statistically the damage caused to a mechanical plant in six years time. The damage caused by work accidents is maximum for INAIL insurance reported accidents, regarding contusions to upper limbs, caused by hits, in the production dept. "mechanics", at the end of the a.m. and p.m. periods of work, in the first two days of the week, in the warmer and colder months of the year; such damage decreases in the course of the six years examined as a consequence of hardly quantifiables changes e.g. in productivity and prevention measures. Finally, suggestions are given to further reduce the accident risk in the firm examined.