Claims for non-fatal accidents at work up 2.9% in the first half of 2022

The number of claims in respect of non-fatal accidents at work in the first half of 2022 increased by 33, or 2.9%, compared to the corresponding period in 2021. Nine fatal accidents at work were reported in the first half of 2022.

Non-fatal accidents

Administrative records show that 1,164 persons were involved in a non-fatal accident at work in the first six months of 2022.

The majority of these non-fatal accidents occurred in the manufacturing sector (16.3%). Another 164 or 14.1% of the accidents occurred in the transportation and storage sector followed by the construction sector (151 or 13.0%).

When compared to the same period in 2021, the highest increase in the number of accidents was in the human health and social work activities (29 or 26.1%).

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

Almost half (44.8%) of the injuries at work affected the upper extremities of the body, such as the fingers and hands. Wounds and superficial injuries, and dislocations, sprains and strains were the most common types of injuries, amounting to 615 and 298 cases respectively.

In the first half of 2022, 33.2% of the accidents at work took place in enterprises with 500 or more employees.

In 2021, 891 non-fatal accidents per 100,000 employed persons were reported.

The highest standardised incidence rate of non-fatal accidents at work was recorded in manufacturing followed by construction and transportation and storage.

Fatal accidents

Between January and June 2022, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported nine fatal accidents at work. There were six fatal accidents at work in the corresponding period of 2021.