Work-related accidents are estimated to provide approximately 5 to 10% of the total disease burden caused by working conditions. The bulk of the disease burden is due to chronic exposure to harmful substances, physical stress and physical factors.
Up to now, the risks of these different exposures were assessed and judged independently. In a feasibility study, one integrated model is developed to compare different exposures for some selected jobs in the construction industry. The model calculates the occupational burden of disease of silicosis and lung cancer (due to exposure to silica), low back pain (due to the lifting of heavy loads) and injury and mortality (due to accidents). The feasibility study demonstrates that it is possible to develop an integrated model for occupational health and safety. However, important information is still missing, and large uncertainties exist.
The main other risks that RIVM is focusing on are hazardous/dangerous substances, asbestos, radiation hazards, infectious diseases, nanotechnology, and exposure to allergens.