There were 772 accidents at work during the fourth quarter last year, up by 80 cases compared with the same period the previous year.

In this period there was one fatality at work, according to figures released by the National Statistics Office.

The figures, based on data provided by the Department of Social Security, indicated that between October and December 2013, the number of non-fatal accidents rose by 11.6 per cent over the corresponding quarter in 2012.

Some 27 per cent of injury claims concerned people aged between 25 and 34.

The manufacturing sector recorded the highest number of accidents, with 24 per cent of the total.

Other economic activities where accidents were quite common included: construction (13.5 per cent) and transport and storage activities (10.9 per cent).

Wounds and superficial injuries, as well as dislocations, sprains and strains, were the most common injuries, amounting to 334 and 190, respectively.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority said the figures must be put into perspective. Taking into account incidents per 100,000 workers, the figures stood at 1,763 accidents at work in 2013 compared with 1,770 the previous year, showing an improvement. In 2013, there were four fatalities while in 2012 there were six.