Two fatal accidents at work in second quarter

The number of non-fatal accidents at work in the second quarter remained unchanged when compared to the corresponding period in 2012, the National Statistics Office said.

It also reported that during the same period two fatal accidents at work were recorded.

Between April and June, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported two fatal accidents at work. There were another two fatalities at work in the corresponding quarter last year

Administrative records indicate that 836 persons had a non-fatal accident during the course of their work during the second quarter this year, a marginal increase of 0.5% when compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

Nearly a quarter of non-fatal accidents at work occurred in manufacturing (23.5%). Other economic sectors where accidents were quite common included Construction (14.4%) and Accommodation and food service activities (11.7%).

When compared to last year, non-fatal accidents went down by 5 in manufacturing, and by 23 in construction.

On the other hand, non-fatal accidents in Accommodation and food service activities rose by 18, or 22.5%.

The largest share of accidents involved persons in elementary occupations and those working in crafts and related trades.

In the quarter under review, one in six accidents at work concerned persons aged under 25.

Claimants working in enterprises located in the Southern Harbour District tended to report the majority of non-fatal accidents. In addition the larger enterprises tended to have more claims for injuries at work.

Wounds and superficial injuries, and dislocations, strains and sprains were the most common types of reported injuries, amounting to 402 and 192 cases respectively. When compared to the corresponding period last year, wounds and superficial injuries went up by 5.2%, while dislocations, strains and sprains dropped by 9.4%. Nearly half the injuries at work affected the upper parts of the body, such as the fingers and hands.