This is an increase of more than 17% and the worst figures since 2009
The number of work accidents is skyrocketing: in 2022 there were 826 deaths in work accidents, 17.2% more than in 2021, when 705 deaths were recorded, and the worst figure since 2009, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy, published this Monday. However, it should be noted that they have fallen sharply in the two years of the pandemic due to the cessation of activity and telecommuting, as well as the fact that membership reached an all-time high in the summer.
Most fatal accidents are caused by heart attacks and strokes, traffic accidents, entrapment and amputations, falls and collisions with moving objects.
Between January and December 2022, lost time accidents increased by 10.4% compared to the previous year, to a total of 631,724 claims, of which 552,173 were in the workplace (10.9% more) and 79,551 accidents ‘in itinere’ ( occurring on the way from home to work or vice versa), with an annual increase of 6.5%.
According to preliminary data from the ministry, the number of fatal accidents during working hours has increased by 18.1% through December 2022, with 679 deaths recorded, 104 more than in 2021, while ‘in itinere’ claims with fatalities increased by 13.1% have risen, from 130 deaths upwards through December 2021 to 147 in 2022.
The number of serious accidents during working hours was 3,801, 2.7% more than in 2021, while serious ‘in itinere’ claims increased by 4.9%, to a total of 913 accidents.
By sector, the number of work-related accidents on leave increased in health activities and social services (+47.3%) and in hospitality (+39.6%), and only the agricultural and livestock sector reduced the number of accidents at work, with a decrease of 6.5% over the period January-December 2021.
In absolute terms, manufacturing was the activity that registered the highest number of lost time accidents, with a total of 88,870 claims, 5.3% more than in 2021. This is followed by construction with 71,596 accidents (+4.6%), and health activities, accounting for a total of 69,748 claims (+47.3%). Labor statistics also show that of the 826 workers who lost their lives in an accident at work in 2022, 747 were employed (+18%) and 79 were self-employed (+9.7%).
In total, between January and December 2022, the self-employed had 35,140 work accidents resulting in absenteeism, 1.9% more than in the same period of 2021, with a 2% increase in claims during working hours and a 0.6% decrease in ‘in round trips’ . Similarly, according to preliminary data from the ministry, 564,701 accidents without absenteeism were reported in 2022, 0.1% less than in the same period of 2021.
«The data on occupational accidents for December confirms what we at CC OO have been denouncing for months: the number of accidents is currently the worst socio-economic indicator in Spain, but it has not become a priority in most companies or in the action of the government in the administrations,” said Mariano Sanz Lubeiro, Secretary of Occupational Health and Environmental Sustainability of CC OO.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
