OHSA strengthens protection through prevention, enforcement and investment

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) Annual Report recently released its 2025 Annual Report, which confirms that the government’s commitment to protecting workers is not a slogan, but a concrete reality, translated into laws, investment, services and, above all, protected lives.

The launch coincided with Workers’ Day, celebrated annually on May 1.

For the OHSA, Workers’ Day is not just a celebration: it is a declaration that workers have the right to work in a safe, healthy and dignified environment, and to return to their families every day. This right is being safeguarded in a tangible way, it said in a statement.

The chief executive officer of OHSA, Josianne Cutajar, expressed her satisfaction with how the authority has transformed its operations into a more proactive one, including investment in digital systems and increased human resources with stronger competencies.

“This has led to several positive results, where we reached more workplaces and also saw greater compliance with health and safety regulations. Above all, while the number of workers in Malta increased over the past year, the number of workplace accidents continued to decline,” Cutajar said.

The Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector Jonathan Attard said that over the past year there was not only the implementation of the new OHSA law, but also increased investment in human resources, with a stronger presence of the authority, including in Gozo, and more inspections in workplaces.

“We also laid the groundwork for this year’s efforts, ensuring national-level training related to health and safety, moving towards a culture of prevention rather than reaction in the world of work,” Attard said.

OHSA reiterated that the worker is not just an economic resource but a citizen with fundamental rights and that occupational health and safety are not a formality, but a matter of life, dignity and social justice.

Through new laws, new centres, a new office in Gozo, agreements with various entities and thousands of preventive inspections, the authority said it is putting into practice the true meaning of Workers’ Day: that every worker in Malta and Gozo has the right to work safely and return home healthy and unharmed, because for OHSA, “every worker counts”.

What emerges from the annual report?

Prevention that protects the lives of Maltese and Gozitan Workers Alongside legislative reforms, in 2025 OHSA carried out 23,711 inspections − a nearly 10-fold increase compared to 2023. Around 82% of inspections in general sectors were proactive, meaning they were conducted before an accident occurred. This is at the core of the government’s philosophy: proactivity rather than reactivity.

Around 80% of inspections were in the construction sector, where workers are exposed to the highest risks. Where enforcement action was required, it was taken, because safety is not a choice but a fundamental right and obligation.

This work was supported by direct investment in the authority’s talent and resources. By the end of 2025, OHSA’s Technical Section had 38 staff members, an increase of 58% compared to the previous year. This increase gave the authority a stronger on-site presence, with greater frequency and expertise, ensuring that worker protection is not just on paper but implemented in practice.

Unprecedented investment in training

Investment in prevention continued through training and awareness. In 2025, the OHSA Training Centre was inaugurated, strengthening national competence in occupational health and safety.

More accessible services

Helpline 138 recorded a 188% increase in calls, while more than 3,400 cases were handled through Customer Care services. This is a strong sign that trust in OHSA is growing and that more workers are becoming aware of their rights.

Greater presence in Gozo

With the opening of the Gozo office in April 2025, the government ensured that Gozitan workers benefit from the same protection and services as workers in Malta.

Less risk, more responsibility

In 2025, 633 workplace accidents were investigated, including nine fatalities. While every case remains tragic, these figures continue to highlight the importance of prevention, enforcement and collective responsibility in reducing risks.

At the same time, there is a growing commitment to compliance, with employers adopting better health and safety procedures.