The number of claims in respect of non-fatal accidents at work in the second half of 2016 decreased by 24, or 1.5 per cent, compared to the corresponding period in 2015. Three fatal accidents at work were reported in the second half of 2016, the NSO said.

Administrative records show that 1,608 persons were involved in a non-fatal accident at work in the last two quarters of 2016.

The majority of these non-fatal accidents occurred in the manufacturing sector (18.2 per cent). Another 263 or 16.4 per cent of the accidents occurred in transport and storage sector followed by the construction sector (13.9 per cent). When compared to the same period in 2015, the number of accidents decreased by 67 in manufacturing and increased by 27 in Education. The largest share of accidents at work during the reference period involved persons working in elementary occupations followed by craft and related trades workers.

44.7 per cent or 718 of the injuries at work 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 976 and 369 cases respectively.

In the second half of 2016, nearly 30 per cent of the accidents at work took place in enterprises with more than 500 employees (29.8 per cent).

Fatal Accidents

Between July and December 2016, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported three fatal accidents at work. There were two fatalities at work in the corresponding period of 2015. Revised data for 2016 (whole year) is also being provided in this publication.