Non-fatal accidents at work increased by 3.4 per cent in the third quarter of this year when compared to the corresponding period last year, the NSO said this morning.

Two fatal accidents at work were also reported in the quarter under review, one more than in the same period last year.

The Office said that 915 persons had an accident in the course of their work between July and September. The number of accidents increased by 30 (3.4 per cent) over the corresponding period in 2009.

The majority of non-fatal accidents at work occurred in manufacturing (22.6 per cent); construction (18.5 per cent); and wholesale and retail trade (12.0 per cent).

When compared to the corresponding period last year, the number of accidents in manufacturing dropped by 20, while those in construction and wholesale and retail trade went up by 29 and 15 respectively.

Persons employed in elementary occupations were the most affected by accidents at work., accounting for 47.3 per cent of the total.

Accidents at work among craft and related trades workers and persons in service occupations decreased by 20 and 12 respectively. The majority of accidents among men occurred in the 25-34 age bracket. On the other hand, most of the women who were involved in an accident during the third quarter of this year were aged 15-24. Wounds and superficial injuries were the most common types of injuries and numbered 412, or 45.0 per cent, of all reported cases.

There were also 34 cases of burns, scalds and chemical burns.