Three fatal occupational accidents in first quarter

Non-fatal occupational accidents decreased by 9.4 per cent in the first quarter but three deaths were reported compared to none in the same period last year, the National Statistics Office said.

The NSO said that according to administrative records provided by the Department of Social Security 666 workers had an occupational accident during the first quarter of this year.

Accordingly, the number of accidents during this period decreased by 69 (-9.4 per cent) over the corresponding period in 2011.

In line with previous years, the majority of reported accidents were reported for males.

Most occupational accidents during this period occurred in manufacturing (24 per cent); construction (16.7 per cent); and transportation and storage (10.4 per cent).

When compared to the corresponding period last year, the number of accidents decreased in manufacturing and construction, but increased in accommodation and food service activities.

A total of 227 accidents, or 34.1 per cent, involved people in elementary occupations, while 132, or 19.8 per cent, concerned crafts and related trades workers.

Accidents involving people under 25 years numbered 89, or 13.4 per cent of total, while people aged 55 and over were involved in 15 per cent of all accidents.

Wounds and superficial injuries, dislocations, strains and sprains were the most common types of injuries, amounting to 298 and 186 cases, respectively.

Both types of accidents registered a decrease in number when compared to last year. The upper and lower extremities were the most common parts of body to be injured, with shares of 42.2 and 20.3 per cent of all injuries, respectively.

Between January and March, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported three fatal accidents at work, all of them in the construction industry.

During the corresponding period last year there were no fatalities at work.