Six fatal workplace accidents were reported in the first half of 2021, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said.

On the other hand, 1,131 persons were involved in a non-fatal accident at work between January and June. The number of claims in respect of non-fatal accidents at work during this period increased by 23, or 2.1 per cent, compared to the corresponding period in 2020.

The majority of these non-fatal accidents occurred in the construction sector (17.2%).

Another 188 or 16.6% of the accidents occurred in the manufacturing sector followed by the transportation and storage sector (146 or 12.9%).

When compared to the same period in 2020, the number of accidents increased by 27 in the administrative and support service activities.

The largest share of accidents at work during the reference period involved persons working in elementary occupations followed by craft and related trades workers.

Almost half (44%) of the injuries at work affected the upper extremities of the body, such as the fingers and hands.

Wounds and superficial injuries, and dislocations, sprains and strains were the most common types of injuries, amounting to 685 and 233 cases respectively.

In the first half of 2021, 27.7% of the accidents at work took place in enterprises with 50-249 employees.

In 2020, 892 non-fatal accidents per 100,000 employed persons were reported.

The highest standardised incidence rate of non-fatal accidents at work was recorded in construction followed by manufacturing and transportation and storage.

Fatal accidents

Between January and June 2021, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported six fatal accidents at work. There were three fatal accidents at work in the corresponding period of 2020.