18/04/2008
The frequency rate of fatal accidents at work has dropped to its lowest level since 1984. According to provisional data compiled by the National Institute for Health and Safety at Work (INSHT), there were 5.3 fatal workplace accidents per 100,000 workers in Spain in 2007. The frequency rate of accidents at work declined by 3.5% compared to 2006, while the rate of fatal accidents dropped by 15.7%. There were 122 fewer fatal accidents declared in 2007 than in 2006. The reduction in the number of fatal accidents concerned industry, construction and services, sectors that are registering their best levels since 1984. In contrast, the rate increased in the agriculture sector.

The same phenomenon is being seen in Italy. According to initial estimates by the National Insurance Institute for Occupational Accidents and Illnesses (INAIL), 1,260 workers died at the workplace and there were 913,000 accidents at work in 2007. The number of fatal work-related accidents totalled 3,744 in 1966, but the figure has been declining ever since: 2,793 in 1976, 2,083 in 1986, 1,372 in 1996 and 1,341 in 2006. In 2007, there were 295 deaths in the construction sector and 260 due to accidents on the way to or from work. The metalworks sector has the highest risks, with an accident frequency rate (61.95 per thousand) that is nearly twice the average rate for industry and services (32.21 per thousand). However, serious accidents likely to result in permanent disability occur primarily in construction, where the frequency rate reaches 4.46.

• Spanish statistics
• Italian statistics