Y2023-S1 Themed investigation into fatal accidents at work

01.12.2022

On 1 December 2022, the Safety Investigation Authority, Finland (SIA) initiated a themed investigation examining deaths that occur at work. The analysis period is the calendar year 2023. 

The investigation will examine what kind of accidental deaths occur at workplaces and how they could be prevented. The aim is that the investigation team is notified of incidents as quickly as possible. The on-site investigators of the SIA document the site of the incident for the purposes of the analysis. The on-site investigation will also include interviews at the workplace.

A short description of each case of death will be written for the investigation report. Based on the descriptions, a joint analysis will be carried out on all incidents, based on which the conclusions and recommendations will be written. The investigation report will be published before the summer of 2024.

According to official statistics, the number of fatal accidents of wage and salary earners at work has decreased significantly in recent decades. It is estimated that the investigation will include approximately 20 cases. Any accidents that may occur to parties other than wage or salary earners, such as in the work of self-employed people, in agricultural work or volunteer work that resembles paid work, can also be included.

Usually, the concept of an accident at work also includes accidents that occur while commuting. They will be excluded from this themed investigation, because research-based information on road traffic accidents is available elsewhere. Deaths clearly caused by disease will also be excluded from the investigation. 

The investigation team is led by Safety Investigator Hannu Hänninen, who has studied organisations and leadership. Expertise in behavioural science is represented by the psychologist Krista Oinonen, who also acts as the editing investigator. Safety Investigator Heikki Harri is in charge of arranging and leading on-site investigation. The expertise of Senior Inspector Suvi Ristonmaa and Maintenance Development Manager Taija Solja mainly comes from a sector critical to safety (nuclear safety). As for the investigation of accidents at work, occupational safety expert Otto Veijola has focused on the subject in particular. Chief Safety Investigator Kai Valonen will serve as the Investigator-in-Charge.

Further information: Kai Valonen, Chief Safety Investigator, tel. +358 (0)2951 50707, kai.valonen@om.fi, @KValonen.