Accidents at work, including fatalities, have been more than halved over the past decade, Health Minister Joe Cassar said yesterday.

In 2002, a total of 3,500 accidents were reported for every 100,000 workers.

This dropped to 1,700 in 2012.

The number of deaths at work was down from nine to four over the same 10 years, he said.

Dr Cassar was speaking during a visit to the Pietà offices of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority.

He told employees he was proud of them and their invaluable work.

“Thanks to your work, the number of accidents was drastically down… you made a major difference,” he said, adding this was the last time he was addressing them as Health Minister, at least, during this legislature.

“God willing, and Prime Minister willing, I might address you again in future,” he joked, referring to the upcoming general election.

OHSA chief executive Mark Gauci said the authority had worked tirelessly to improve safety at work since it was set up in 2002.

It raised awareness both in workplaces and schools and last year more than 23,000 individuals visited the authority’s website, with about 1,000 asking for further information.

He said the authority had introduced 40 regulations to ensure employees were safe in different work environments. It also carried out almost 11,000 regular inspections between 2008 and 2012.

“I just need to point out, while accidents can be controlled, they cannot be completely eliminated since they remain the result of human activity,” Mr Gauci said.