Non-fatal accidents at work increased by 2.7%

Between July and September, the number of non-fatal accidents increased by 23 or 2.7% over the corresponding period last year. Administrative records indicate that 879 persons had a non-fatal accident during the course of their work in the quarter under review.

Manufacturing was among the economic activities in which most accidents at work took place, with a share of 18.4% of total accidents. Other economic sectors where accidents were quite common included construction (13.9 %) and wholesale and retail trade (12.2%).

When compared to last year, non-fatal accidents went down by 53 in manufacturing, and by 15 in construction. On the other hand, accidents in wholesale and retail trade increased by 30. The largest share of accidents at work involved persons in elementary occupations and those working in crafts and related trades.

Wounds and superficial injuries, and dislocations, strains and sprains were the most common types of injuries, amounting to 446 and 193 cases respectively. Over the corresponding period last year, wounds and superficial injuries increased by 6.4%. Nearly half the injuries at work affected the upper parts of the body, such as the fingers and hands.

In the quarter under review, more than half the accidents at work took place in enterprises with more than 50 employees.

Between July and September, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported no fatal accident at work.