About 5,000 cases of occupational diseases caused by working conditions are diagnosed per year. Studies have shown that work-related causes contribute to 1,800 premature deaths every year.
Shortcomings in working conditions burden the national economy by about EUR 3 billion a year in losses. According to estimates made by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, one case of occupational disease means a loss of EUR 0.3–0.6 million to the enterprise.
More and more enterprises have realized that a healthy and safe work environment improves competitiveness, which is reflected as an improvement in the cost-effectiveness of production. An enterprise that is concerned with the health and safety of its employees also enhances its public image as a workplace that takes people into consideration.
Modified 27.04.2010 Sointu Högström