Non-fatal accidents at work down by 4.1%

Between January and June 2016, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported four fatal accidents at work, in comparison with the three fatalities at work in the corresponding period of 2015.

Regarding non-fatal accident during their work in the first half of 2016, administrative records show that 1,420 persons were involved in such incidents.

The manufacturing sector recorded the majority of non-fatal accidents at work with 16.9%. Another 220 of these accidents occurred in construction, which makes up 15.5%, followed by transport and storage with 14.8%. When compared to the same period last year, the number of accidents decreased by 52 in manufacturing and increased by 36 in public administration and defence; compulsory social security.

The largest share of accidents at work in this period of 2016 involved persons working in elementary occupations followed by craft and related trades workers.

Nearly half of the injuries at work 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 860 and 315 cases respectively

In the first half of the year, 33.1%, almost one third, of the accidents at work took place in enterprises with more than 500 employees.