Claims in respect of non-fatal accidents at work decreased by 9.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year when compared to the corresponding period in 2009. No fatal accidents at work were reported during this quarter.

Non-Fatal Accidents

Administrative records relating to claims for injury benefits indicate that 736 persons had an accident in the course of their work during the period under review. Accordingly, this number decreased by 76, or 9.4 per cent, when compared to the previous year. 85.6 per cent of the persons who had an accident at work were males.

The largest shares of accidents at work occurred in manufacturing (27.7 per cent); construction (17.5 per cent); and transport, storage and communication (11.8 per cent). Health and social work featured as the most common economic activity in which accidents among females occurred. On the other hand, the manufacturing sector was the most common economic activity for accidents reported by males.

The highest incidence of accidents for both sexes occurred in elementary occupations.

The second most common occupational categories among males and females were crafts and related trades and professional grades respectively. Nearly 30 per cent of accidents at work occurred to persons aged 25-34, while another 23.1 per cent occurred to persons aged between 45 and 54. 10.2 per cent of accidents at work occurred to persons aged 55 and over.

Wounds and superficial injuries were the most common types of injuries. Accordingly, such injuries amounted to 296, or 40.2 per cent of all reported cases.

Fatal Accidents

Between October and December, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) did not report any fatal accidents at work. During the corresponding period in 2009 there were a total of three fatalities.

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