What Activity is the Most Dangerous to Work in? Estimation of the Risk Level of Economic Activities in Ecuador

Background: Classifying economic activities into risk levels is an occupational health and safety practice that several countries worldwide observe. It allows government agencies to formulate public policies with occupational risk prevention requirements tailored to each activity's needs. Further, this level of risk directly influences companies' contributions to occupational risk insurers, whether public or private, according to the dangerousness of their activity. In Ecuador, the classification of economic activities into risk levels was carried out by a Committee of Experts based on administrative data. However, this classification has been questioned for its lack of objectivity and for using administrative records, where underreporting cases limit the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the data. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative study uses data from the National Survey of Employment, Unemployment, and Underemployment (ENEMDU). Estimates of the incidence rates of injuries and illnesses by economic activity were grouped into three clusters (high, medium, and low) according to the level of risk. Results: An alternative risk classification of economic activities was obtained and compared with the existing classification. Conclusions: Our results help mitigate the uncertainty in the current risk classification of economic activities' lack of methodological rigor and evaluate the relevance of using data from the ENEMDU survey. They also allow a comparison of two risk classifications developed from different methodologies and data sources. From a practical perspective, the results will help decision-makers clarify current regulations in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policies.