More attention needs to be paid to reporting occupational diseases in order to improve the safety of work life

The most recent data published in the  Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases (FROD) further clarifies the picture of how Finnish work life recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023. After the two previous dark years, the number of COVID-19 infections recognized as occupational diseases fell by more than 80 per cent.

The number of recognized cases of occupational diseases decreased, particularly among working-age people. Of the recorded cases, 46 per cent were recognized, which is significantly less than in previous years. The share of recognized cases of occupational diseases among people over the age of 65 remained high (69 per cent of recorded cases).

Occupational diseases still affect women in particular

The gender distribution of cases of occupational diseases among working-age people remained predominantly female. Occupational diseases among working-age people are recognized particularly in health and social services and agriculture. The number of recognized cases of scabies multiplied in 2023 compared to previous years.

“Finland has had a scabies epidemic in recent years, which is likely to be reflected in the number of work-related cases,” says Maria Pesonen, Chief Physician at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

Occupational skin diseases are particularly common occupational diseases. Epoxy chemicals, rubber chemicals, preservatives, wet work and various plant and animal-derived materials cause contact eczema.

"Occupational skin diseases are not a trivial matter. They can significantly impair work ability and have a negative impact on the career of a person who has fallen ill," Pesonen points out.

The harms of asbestos can still be observed in occupational disease deaths

In 2023, a total of 70 occupational disease deaths were recorded. Almost all of them were caused by asbestos. Until the early 1990s, asbestos exposure was common in many jobs, for example in the construction sector.

Asbestos-related diseases are associated with a long delay between exposure and the onset of the disease, which explains the recorded occupational disease deaths. The most common diseases that led to occupational death were mesothelioma, a malignant tumour of the pleura or abdominal cavity, and lung cancer.

Occupational disease deaths have been recorded in the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases since 2020.

Occupational disease notifications are still underreported

Doctors have a statutory duty to report an occupational disease or suspicion thereof or any other suspected work-related disease to the Finnish Supervisory Agency (previously the Regional State Administrative Agency). Occupational disease notification data is used in occupational safety and health monitoring to improve working conditions, reduce exposure and prevent work-related illnesses.

"Despite the reporting obligation, more than half of all cases of recognized occupational diseases or suspected occupational diseases have not been reported to the Finnish Supervisory Agency. In the future, it will be of key importance to inform and train doctors about the duty to notify," says Kirsi Koskela, Chief Physician at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

What is the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases?

• The Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases  (FROD) is a statutory register (in Finnish) maintained by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, established in 1964, which records information on recognized and suspected occupational diseases. 
• The accident insurance institutions send the occupational disease data to the Finnish Workers' Compensation Center (Tapaturmavakuutuskeskus, TVK), which delivers the data to the register. The Farmers' Social Insurance Institution (Maatalousyrittäjien eläkelaitos, MELA) submits its own occupational disease data directly to the register. Insurance companies’ occupational disease data is transmitted to the register with a delay. Data provided by insurance companies is supplemented with occupational disease notifications submitted by doctors to the Finnish Supervisory Agency (formerly Regional State Administrative Agency). 

Further information

• Kirsi Koskela, Chief Medical Officer, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, kirsi.koskela@ttl.fi, tel. +358 (0)43 820 0452
• Ville Ojanen, Specialist, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, ville.ojanen@ttl.fi, tel. +358 (0)50 478 7296
• Maria Pesonen, Chief Physician, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, maria.pesonen@ttl.fi, tel. +358 (0)46 850 5031
• Johanna Lehtimäki,  Senior Specialist, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tpsr@ttl.fi

Explore the data

• Report: Occupational diseases and suspected occupational diseases 2023 (in Finnish) (Julkari.fi)
• Work-Life Knowledge service: Data on confirmed occupational diseases of working age people in 2011–2023 and analysis related to the data for 2019–2023