Claims in respect of non-fatal accidents at work decreased by 9.4 per cent in the first quarter when compared to the corresponding period in 2011. Three fatal accidents at work were reported.

Administrative records provided by the Department of Social Security indicate that 666 persons had an accident during the course of their work during the first quarter this year. Accordingly, the number of accidents during this period decreased by 69 (-9.4 per cent) over the corresponding period in 2011. In line with previous years, the majority of reported accidents were reported for males.

During the first quarter this year most accidents at work occurred in manufacturing (24.0 per cent); construction (16.7 per cent); and transportation and storage (10.4 per cent).

When compared to the corresponding period last year, the number of accidents decreased in manufacturing and construction, but increased in accommodation and food service activities.

A total of 227 accidents, or 34.1 per cent, involved persons in elementary occupations, while 132 accidents, or 19.8 per cent, concerned crafts and related trades workers.

Accidents involving persons under 25 years of age numbered 89, or 13.4 per cent of total, while persons aged 55 and over were involved in 15.0 per cent of all accidents.

Wounds and superficial injuries, dislocations, strains and sprains were the most common types of injuries, amounting to 298 and 186 cases respectively. Both types of accidents registered a decrease in number when compared to last year.

The upper and lower extremities were the most common parts of body to be injured, with shares of 42.2 and 20.3 per cent of all injuries respectively.

Between January and March, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported that there were three fatal accidents at work, all of them taking place in the construction industry. During the corresponding period last year there were no fatalities at work.

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