There were three fatal occupational accidents in the second half of 2018, according to the National Office of Statistics.

The NSO said that non-fatal occupational accidents at work in the same period increased by 10, or 0.6%, when compared to the same period in 2017.

Administrative records showed that 1,599 persons were involved in a non-fatal occupational accident during the period, 1,653 more than in the first half of the year. The majority, 282 (17.6%) occurred in the manufacturing sector. Another 233 (14.6%) were in the construction sector. These were followed by 228 (14.3%) in the transport and storage sector.

When compared to the same period in 2017, the number of accidents decreased by 33 in accommodation and food service activities and increased by 20 in the administration and support service activities.

The largest share of accidents at work during the reference period involved persons working in elementary occupations followed by craft and related trades workers.

Almost half (45.1%) of the injuries at work affected the upper extremities of the body, such as fingers and hands. Wounds and superficial injuries, and dislocations, sprains and strains were the most common types of injuries, amounting to 991 and 388 cases respectively.

In the second half of 2018, nearly 34% of the accidents at work took place in enterprises with more than 500 employees.

In 2018, 1,400 non-fatal accidents per 100,000 employed persons were reported. The highest standardised incidence rate of non-fatal accidents at work was recorded in manufacturing followed by construction and transportation and storage activities.

Between July and December, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority reported three fatal accidents at work. There were no fatalities at work in the corresponding period of 2017.