Occupational Injuries in Greece: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Occupational injuries represent a significant public health issue, impacting workers' health, productivity, and economic stability. This systematic review aims to summarize and analyze the existing literature on occupational injuries in Greece, focusing on their prevalence, types, causes, and associated risk factors. A systematic search was performed using the databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Keywords used included ("occupational" OR "agricultural" OR "work-related") AND ("injuries" OR "accidents") AND ("Greece" OR "Greek"). Inclusion criteria were clinical studies providing quantitative data on occupational injuries in Greece. Case reports, reviews, studies in other than English language, and conference papers were excluded. Data were extracted regarding study design, population, types of injuries, causes, and risk factors. A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing various sectors such as construction, agriculture, industry, and healthcare. Most studies were cross-sectional and retrospective cohorts. The prevalence of occupational injuries varied widely across different sectors, with construction and agriculture showing the highest rates, reaching 30%. Common types of injuries included fractures, sprains, and cuts, with machinery-related accidents and falls being the most frequent causes. Risk factors identified included young age, working inexperience, lack of safety training, insufficient protective equipment, and poor regulatory enforcement. Occupational injuries in Greece are a prevalent and diverse problem, heavily influenced by sector-specific factors and general safety culture. There is a need for improved regulatory frameworks, enhanced safety training programs, and better enforcement of existing laws to reduce the incidence of these injuries.