Claims in respect of non-fatal occupational accidents in the first quarter this year dropped by 44, or 6.2 per cent, compared to the same period last year. One fatal occupational accident was reported.

Administrative records show that 670 persons were involved in a non-fatal accident in the first quarter this year.

The majority of non-fatal accidents at work occurred in the manufacturing sector (19 per cent), followed by construction (17.2 per cent) and transportation and storage (13.9 per cent).

When compared to the same quarter last year, the number of accidents went down by 40 in manufacturing and increased by 23 in human health and social work activities.

The largest share of occupational accidents during the reference quarter involved people working in craft and related trades (24.9 per cent) followed by those in elementary occupations (24.5 per cent).

Wounds and superficial injuries were the most common, with 422 cases, while dislocations, strains and sprains amounted to 134 cases.

Nearly half of injuries at work affected the upper extremities of the body, such as fingers and hands.

In the first quarter, nearly a third of accidents at work took place in enterprises employing 500 or more people (32.4 per cent).