1,130 occupational accidents in last quarter of 2002

A total of 1,130 occupational accidents were reported to the Department of Social Security in the last quarter of 2002, according to the National Statistics Office.

The figures show that 1,003 men (88.8 per cent) and 127 women (11.2 per cent) had an accident in the course of their work in the last three months of 2002. The figures were virtually the same for the corresponding period in 2001.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority reported that two men had died as a result of accidents in the course of their work. Both were employed in the construction industry.

A total of 381 accidents (33.7 per cent) were reported to have occurred in factories and at Malta Drydocks, and 106 (9.4 per cent) in the construction sector.

As in 2001, many of the occupational accidents affected workers in elementary occupations (63.2 per cent) and craft and related trades workers (19.6 per cent). Most of the victims of injuries were labourers, welders and fitters.

According to the NSO, accidents at work concerned employees of various ages, and the average age was 36.

Many accidents affected the upper extremities of the body and related mostly to the shoulders, arms, hands and fingers.