Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Germany
INJURY SEVERITY CODING EU approach OECD WORKSHOP ON PRODUCT RISK ASSESSMENT: OVERVIEW OF TOOLS AND APPROACHES
Content European Approach Basic concept Coding (Severity of) injury and hazard Conclusion 3
European Approach Consumer Products General Product Safety Directive RAPEX Risk Assessment Special product groups New Legislative Framework Severity of Injury X Risk level Probability Risk management Corrective measure Legislation Operation Enforcement 4
Severity of injury basic concept The EU risk assessment guidelines distinguish between four levels of injury severity. Severity should be assessed completely objectively. The aim is to compare the severity of different scenarios and to set priorities, not to judge the acceptability of a single injury at this stage. In order to assess the severity of the consequences (acute injury or other damage to health), objective criteria is used, on the one hand, in the level of medical intervention, and, on the other hand, in the consequences to the further functioning of the victim. 5
Severity of injury - coding 1. Injury or consequence that after basic treatment (first aid, normally not by a doctor) does not substantially hamper functioning or cause excessive pain; usually the consequences are completely reversible. 2. Injury or consequence for which a visit to A&E may be necessary, but in general, hospitalization is not required. Functioning may be affected for a limited period, not more than about 6 months, and recovery is more or less complete. 3. Injury or consequence that normally requires hospitalisation and will affect functioning for more than 6 months or lead to a permanent loss of function. 4. Injury or consequence that is or could be fatal, including brain death; consequences that affect reproduction or offspring; severe loss of limbs and/or function, leading to more than approximately 10 % of disability. 6
Severity of injury coding - example 7
Severity of injury and hazard Hazard group Hazard (product property) Typical injury scenario Typical injury Size, shape and surface Potential energy Kinetic energy Electrical energy Extreme temperatures Radiation Fire and explosion Toxicity Microbiological contamination Product operating hazards 8
Severity of injury and hazard Hazard group Hazard (product property) Typical injury scenario Typical injury Size, shape and surface Potential energy Kinetic energy Electrical energy Extreme temperatures Radiation Fire and explosion Toxicity Microbiological contamination Product operating hazards 9
Severity of injury and hazard Hazard group Hazard (product property) Typical injury scenario Typical injury Size, shape and surface Moving product Potential energy Parts moving against one another Kinetic energy Parts moving close one another Electrical energy Rotating parts Extreme temperatures Rotating parts past to one another Radiation Acceleration Fire and explosion Flying objects Toxicity Vibration Microbiological contamination Noise Product operating hazards 10
Severity of injury and hazard Hazard group Hazard (product property) Typical injury scenario Typical injury Size, shape and surface Moving product Person puts a body part Potential energy Kinetic energy Electrical energy Parts moving against one another Parts moving past one another Rotating parts between the moving parts while they move together; the body part gets trapped and put under pressure (crushed) Extreme temperatures Radiation Fire and explosion Rotating parts close to one another Acceleration Flying objects Person puts a body part between the moving parts while they move close by (scissor movement); the body Toxicity Microbiological contamination Product operating hazards Vibration Noise part gets trapped between the moving parts and put under pressure (shearing) 11
Severity of injury and hazard Hazard group Hazard (product property) Typical injury scenario Typical injury Size, shape and surface Moving product Person puts a body part Potential energy Kinetic energy Electrical energy Parts moving against one another Parts moving past one another Rotating parts between the moving parts while they move together; the body part gets trapped and put under pressure (crushed) Bruising; dislocation; fracture; crushing Extreme temperatures Radiation Fire and explosion Rotating parts close to one another Acceleration Flying objects Person puts a body part between the moving parts while they move close by (scissor movement); the body Laceration, cut; amputation Toxicity Microbiological contamination Product operating hazards Vibration Noise part gets trapped between the moving parts and put under pressure (shearing) 12
Severity of injury coding - example 13
Severity of injury - conclusion Injury coding is based on the necessary medical treatment. It is part of the risk assessment process and helps in the process of RAPEX risk assessment to find the risk level. It can help to draw conclusions from injury back to hazard and where a product has to be improved. The approach in market surveillance is based on two pillars: hazard groups leading to injury scenarios and the classification of the severity of injury (x probability = risk) 14
Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin Federal Institute for occupational safety and health Unit basics of product safety Friedrich-Henkel-Weg 1-25 44149 Dortmund Tel. +49 231 9071-2270 Fax +49 231 9071-2364 honnacker.matthias@baua.bund.de www.baua.de 15