Figures released yesterday by the National Statistics Office showed that there were fewer non-fatal accidents in the second quarter of this year compared to the same quarter in 2003.

87.2 per cent of those who were injured while on duty in the three months under review were men. This means that 896 working men and 131 working women suffered an injury in the course of their work in the second quarter of 2004.

As was the case in the same period last year, many of the reported occupational injuries occurred in the manufacturing and construction sectors – with 352 accidents (34.3 per cent) taking place in the manufacturing sector, which includes the shipyards, and 153 (14.9 per cent) in the construction sector.

People employed in elementary occupations and craftsmen and workers in related trades are more likely to be involved in accidents at work.

More than half of the accidents at work are reported by people with these occupations.

In accordance with the manual nature of the occupation of the workers concerned, many accidents at work affect the upper extremities of the body.

The most typical reported accidents at work are in respect of wounds and superficial injuries and dislocations, sprains and strains.

Many of the claimants for injury benefit in the second quarter of this year work in localities in the Southern Harbour and Northern Harbour districts.