The diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) employed by the American DSM-IV from 1994 and ICD-10 from 1993 are reviewed. The literature concerning PTSD, with particular focus on PTSD in relation to occupational accidents, is discussed. A single epidemiological study of the occurrence of PTSD following serious nonfatal occupational accidents reports a one to two years prevalence of PTSD of 4.3%. Physicians and safety and health organisations within companies should be aware of the potential for the occurrence of acute and chronic stress conditions following occupational accidents, primarily with respect to providing supportive psychological treatment and social support aimed at preventing the development of chronic symptoms.