Occupational accidents down 16.9%

The number of accidents at the place of work declined by 16.9 per cent between July and September compared to the same quarter last year, official figures issued today show.

The NSO said there were 873 non-fatal accidents during the period. There was also one fatality - the same as last year.

Just over a quarter of the accidents took place in the manufacturing sector, followed by 15.2 per cent in construction and 14 per cent in transport, storage and communication.

397 cases (45.5 per cent) involved people in elementary occupations, while 179 cases (20.5 per cent) affected people in craft/trades work. In the period under review, 46.5 per cent of accidents at work occurred to persons who were under 35 years of age.

Injuries were mostly caused to the upper extremities of the body, notably hands and fingers.