The majority of government department employees - 70 per cent - remained in the dark about health and safety measures at their workplace, according to survey by Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin.
Another 72 per cent said they knew what to do if a fire broke out and nine per cent said there were no fire extinguishers at the workplace. However, 25 per cent said they had no clue how to use the extinguishers.
The union carried out the survey to determine whether employees were informed about health and safety laws, which have been in place for years, and whether these were implemented, the union's assistant general secretary, Jesmond Bonello said.
An "alarming" 37 per cent were injured at work and 73 per cent of them filed a report, Mr Bonello said. However, no measures were taken by the employer to prevent another accident in 68 per cent of the reports made.
Another 47 per cent did not know the procedure to follow in case they were injured at work.
More than half, 57 per cent, did not know who were the trained first aiders at their workplace and another 31 per cent said they did not know where the first aid box was kept.
Union general secretary Gejtu Vella said the figures called for a revision of health and safety laws to also include penalties for employers who did not implement them. "The workplace has changed over the years and we need a set of laws that reflect these changes. The government should introduce a set of substantial deterrents because we can't have employees who aren't protected," Mr Vella said.
He urged the government to act on the commitment made two years ago to revise the laws and pointed out that nothing had happened since.
The survey was carried out earlier this year among union delegates working with the government, in the private sector and public entities. About 42 per cent responded.
The majority of respondents were male, 74 per cent. Over 50 per cent were aged 45 years and older and about 40 per cent were aged between 26 and 45 years.
Over half, 56 per cent, of respondents worked with the government, 23 per cent with a public entity and another 21 per cent worked in the private sector.