OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the distribution of occupational accidents involving exposure to biological materials reported to Londrina's Worker's Health Reference Center, and to establish a pattern for the accidents found. METHOD: This is a descriptive and retrospective study, with a quantitative analysis of 253 accidents with biological material reported. Accidents were reported by health institutions linked to Londrina's Worker's Health Reference Center from January to December 2006. Data were processed and tabulated by Epi Info free software. RESULTS: Out of the 253 files analyzed, 92.5% of the accidents were caused by sharp objects, and 39.5% occurred with nurse assistants. In this sample, 73.5% of the accidents were with women, 24.1% occurred in Basic Health Units, 74.3% had updated Hepatitis B vaccination, and 49.8% occurred within the public healthcare system. CONCLUSION: Along with the description of the profile of workers who suffered accidents with exposure to biological material, this study found out that the most vulnerable healthcare workers are nurse assistants and women. Most of the accidents occurred in Basic Healthcare Units with sharp objects. We also found that garbage collectors are among the workers most often affected by accidents.
Accidents; Occupational; Occupational Exposure; Epidemiology
