Classification of accidents in the Arctic. A suggestion for adaptation of the Nordic classification for accident monitoring.

Since 1980 the Nordic Medico-Statistical Committee (NOMESCO) has supported the development of the Classification for Accident Monitoring. The objective of the Classification is to provide the foundation for accident prevention. In agreement with the purpose of NOMESCO to establish comparable medical statistics in the Nordic countries, it is considered how the Nordic Classification might be adapted to conditions in Arctic areas, in order also to facilitate accident prevention in these areas. The Classification is multiaxial and describes place of occurrence, injury mechanism, activity (of victim), products involved in accidents, and information of special relevance to traffic accidents and occupational accidents. The hierarchical build-up of the coding system allows subspecification of the variables mentioned above, thus enabling the system to contain such information which is suggested for Arctic areas, and at the same time preserving the comparability of data at an aggregated level. Further development is suggested in a plan of work.