There were 1,424 occupational accidents in the first half of this year, 60 fewer when compared to the same period last year. Four were fatal.

The National Statistics Office said in a statement that the majority of non-fatal accidents occurred in the manufacturing sector (16.9 per cent). Another 220 or 15.5 per cent of these accidents were in construction followed by transport and storage (14.8 per cent).

When compared to the same period last year, the number of accidents decreased by 52 in manufacturing and increased by 36 in public administration and defence.

The largest share of accidents at work during the reference period involved persons working in elementary occupations followed by craft and related trades workers.

Nearly half of the injuries affected the upper extremities of the body, such as the fingers and hands. Wounds and superficial injuries, and dislocations, strains and sprains were the most common types of injuries, amounting to 860 and 315 cases, respectively.

In the first half of the year, almost one third of the accidents at work took place in enterprises with more than 500 employees (33.1 per cent).