BACKGROUND: When an organization performs an integrated analysis of risks
through its Occupational Health and Safety Management System, several steps
are suggested to address the implications of the identified risks. Namely,
the organization should make a detailed analysis of the monetary impact for
the organization of each of the preventive measures considered. However, it
is also important to perform an analysis of the impact of each measure on
society (externalities).
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to present a case study related to the
application of the proposed economic evaluation methodology.
METHODS: An analysis of the work accidents in a hospital has been made.
Three of the major
types of accidents have been selected: needle stings, falls and excessive
strain. Following the risk assessment, some preventive measures have been
designed. Subsequently, the Benefit/Cost ratio (B/C) of these measures has
been calculated, both in financial terms (from the organization's
perspective) and in economic terms (including the benefits for the worker
and for the Society).
RESULTS: While the financial ratio is only advantageous in some cases, when
the externalities are taken into account, the B/C ratio increases
significantly.
CONCLUSIONS: It is important to consider external benefits to make decisions
concerning the implementation of preventive measures in Occupational Health
and Safety projects.
