Slight increase in workplace accidents in last quarter of 2015

Claims in respect of non-fatal accidents at work in the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased marginally by 11 when compared with the corresponding quarter in 2014. One fatal accident at work was reported.

Claims in respect of accidents at work show that 771 persons were involved in a non-fatal accident during their work in the fourth quarter of last year.

The majority of non-fatal accidents at work occurred in manufacturing (20.4 per cent). Another 124 or 16.1 per cent of these accidents occurred in transport and storage (16.1 per cent). When compared to the same quarter last year, the number of accidents decreased by 25 in accomodation and food services activities and increased by 32 in administrative and support service activities. The largest share of accidents at work during the reference quarter involved persons working in elementary occupations followed by those in crafts and related trades.

Out of all injuries, 367 affected the upper extremities of the body, such as the fingers and hands. Wounds and superficial injuries, and dislocations, strains and sprains were the most common types of injuries, amounting to 500 and 145 cases respectively.

In the quarter under review, 37.2 per cent (287) of the accidents at work took place in enterprises which employed 500 workers or more.

Between October and December 2015, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported one fatal accident at work. There were no fatalities at work in the corresponding period of 2014.