Fatal workplace accidents rise 22.3% until April, with 258 deaths

MADRID, 13 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

A total of 258 workers died in an occupational accident in the first four months of this year, 47 more than in the same period of 2021, which in relative terms implies an increase of 22.3%, according to provisional data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy .

Most fatal accidents are caused by heart attacks and strokes, traffic accidents, entrapment and amputations, falls and collisions with moving objects.

Between January and April, accidents leading to sick leave increased by 10% compared to the same period in 2021, to a total of 194,207 claims, of which 171,431 occurred in the workplace (12.6% more) and 22,776 were accidents 'in itinere' (those that occur on the way from home to work or vice versa), with an interannual decrease of 6.5%.

According to provisional data from the Ministry, fatal accidents during the working day increased by 21.6%, registering 214 deaths, 38 more than in the first four months of 2021, while 'in itinere' claims resulting in deaths soared 25.7%, going from 35 deaths in the first four months of 2021 to 44 in the same period of 2022.

Serious accidents during working hours totaled 1,206, 3.3% more than in the first four months of last year, while serious 'in itinere' claims increased by 8.8%, with a total of 273 accidents.

Labor statistics also reveal that of the 258 workers who lost their lives in an accident at work until April, 238 were salaried (24%) and 20 self-employed (5.3%).

In total, self-employed workers suffered 10,860 occupational accidents with sick leave until April, 0.9% more than in the first four months of 2021, with an increase of 1.5% in claims during the working day and a decrease in 6.4% in the 'in itinere'.

Likewise, according to provisional data from the Ministry, until April, 172,449 accidents without sick leave were reported, 2.3% less than in the same period of 2021.

In light of these, UGT has asked "to carefully follow the evolution of these statistics", since the figures reflect, in his opinion, that occupational safety and health "are being left in the background" and that, furthermore, preventive mechanisms do not work.

For UGT, the increase in fatal accidents is "especially worrying" due to heart attacks, strokes, entrapments, crushing and deaths in itinere. However, the union points out that the increase in deaths recorded in these four months corresponds, in part, to the sinking of the Villa de Pitanxo fishing vessel in Canada, in mid-February.

UGT requires the Government to open a social dialogue table on workplace accidents to agree on urgent measures and articulate a shock plan against workplace accidents immediately. To do this, it advocates the creation of a figure at the state level, similar to the territorial prevention delegate, and to provide the Labor Inspection with greater resources.

The union also appreciates that the General Conference of the International Labor Organization (ILO) last week included safe and healthy working environments among its fundamental principles and rights.