Occupational accidents decrease

Non fatal occupational accidents decreased by 15.0 percent in the first quarter of this year when compared to the same quarter last year, the NSO said today.

Quoting claims for injury benefit, the office said 789 persons had an accident in the course of their work in the period under review, a decrease of 139. Many of these accidents at work occurred in the following sectors: manufacturing (25.0 percent); construction (15.2 percent); and transport, storage, and communications (10.4 per cent).

The occupational categories that were most affected by accidents were the elementary and trades occupations. Just under half of the accidents at work occurred to persons who were under 35 years of age.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported that between January and March 2009 there were two fatalities at work. During the same period last year there were also two fatalities at work.