A study published recently in the Spanish Journal “Archivos de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales” calculates occupational morbidity and mortality in Spain in 1999 based on similar estimations from other studies. According to the authors’estimations, there were 15,264 deaths related to occupational exposures in Spain in 1999. Cancer and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases accounted for 91% of occupational deaths.

In 1999 there were more than 92,000 new cases of occupational diseases (63.52 per 10,000 workers), being the highest incidences for musculoskeletal diseases, hearing loss, dermatitis and cancer. The prevalence of occupational diseases was 537 per 10,000 workers, with almost 800,000 workers affected in 1999 mostly by musculoskeletal diseases and psychological problems. According to these results, 83% of occupational diseases in Spain are not recognised or registered. In official registers death by occupational diseases is non-existent.

• Read the study [ES]