How many work-related accidents with absence have occurred in the past year?

Number of accidents with absence, not incidents without impact

The question counts workplace accidents that have led to absence — that is, with sick leave or work incapacity as a result — not every incident that has been reported or investigated. VSME asks here for an absolute number over the past financial year, not a percentage and not an index such as a frequency rate. If no accident with absence occurred in the year, the answer is zero; that is a valid and complete answer, not missing data.

The figure should come from the organization's own accident register or absence record, not from an estimate. Organizations that already have a policy for health and safety at work in place usually already have this count running as part of that policy; then this field is a matter of transferring it. If that count is missing, the most honest answer is that the number has not been kept — do not enter an estimated figure that cannot be substantiated later.

Where this comes from: VSME basic module, social indicators

The VSME basic module includes workplace accidents with absence as part of social indicators on working conditions, in the same group as questions about collective labour agreement coverage and health and safety policy. The standard asks for the total over the reporting year, in line with the period also used for other personnel figures, such as the average number of training hours per employee. For the precise definition and delimitation of what counts as an "accident with absence", the EFRAG VSME text itself is the source to fall back on.