Fatal workplace accidents increase in Spain in 2022

According to provisional data from the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, a total of 688 workers have died this year in occupational accidents up to October. This means 100 more workers than in the same period of 2021, which implies an increase of 17%.

Most of these fatal accidents are caused by falls from heights, collisions with moving objects, heart attacks and strokes, entrapments and amputations, and traffic accidents.

Accidents with sick leave

In the first 10 months of 2022, accidents with sick leave have increased almost 12% compared to the same period in 2021. This has meant up to a total of 528,709 accidents, of which 463,888 have occurred in the Workplace (12.7% more). In addition, 64,821 were accidents that occurred in the commuting from home to work or vice versa, with a year-on-year increase of 5.8%.

Fatal accidents during working hours

According to the provisional data provided by the Ministry, fatal accidents during working hours they increased by 17.7%. This means a record of 566 deaths, 85 more than in the same period of 2021. In addition, the accidents occurring on the route, resulting in death, increased by 14%. It has gone from 107 deaths between January and October 2021 to 122 in the same period of 2022.

Serious accidents at work

If we talk about serious accidents at work, as of October 2022 there are 3,209. 4.4% more than in the same period last year. While the Serious commuting accidents increased by 4.6%, reaching a total of 751 accidents.

DISCOVER OUR TRAININGS

Accidents of salaried workers vs. self-employed workers

Statistics tell us that of the 688 workers who lost their lives due to an accident at work, 617 were salaried (+16.2%) and 71 were self-employed (+24.6%).

In total, self-employed workers have suffered 29,244 work-related accidents with sick leave up to October. This is 2.3% more than in 2021, representing a 2.5% increase in accidents during working hours and a 0.4% decrease in accidents on the way from home to work or vice versa.

Unions call for urgent measures to eliminate the accident rate

With these data, unions such as UGT have denounced the Plan against fatal accidents approved by the Government as “insufficient”. According to UGT, the plan has not been effective in reducing the numbers of fatal accidents.

For them, it is urgent to sign a new Spanish Strategy for Safety and Health at Work and, at the same time, provide it with sufficient economic resources to put an end to the negative accident statistics.

Falls from height in construction

In construction , falls from height are between 8% and 10% of fatal cases of occupational accidents. The ladders they are one of the most dangerous tools. They cause around 5,000 accidents a year.

In 2020, in the Construction sector, the rate of occupational accidents decreased by 14.9%. The fatal accidents decreased by 18% compared to 2019, with 120 deaths in total. It should be noted that in 2020 the sector was paralyzed for a few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If we compare with the data from 2018, the number of deaths increased (+20). In the Industry sector, the rate of occupational accidents in 2020 decreased by 17.9%. However, fatal accidents grew by 21%, with a total of 108 deaths.

(source: Occupational accident report of the Ministry of Employment and Social Security 2020. Statistics on Accidents at Work. ATR 2020 )

There is a wide range of solutions on the market

It is necessary to take into account the Evolution of technology and product innovation and that there is a Wide range of solutions on the market for carrying out these works at height: Scaffolding, MEWP as Electric scissors, Single-person and Low Lift Platforms.

The employer must be made aware that these means are safer, even if they are more expensive, and the customer must be made aware of the fact that they can carry out the work with more safety and fewer risks for workers, even if it means a higher cost in the budget.

There is a wide range of solutions on the market, including our Pecolift or Ecolift lifting platform that features an energy storage system that allows for a very light crank action to lift the platform manually.

These machines are available for work at heights up to 5 meters. Weighing 180 and 305 kg respectively, they can withstand material loads of up to 150 kg. They have parts for easy transport. Both options allow workers to lift their tools and some materials and allow for safer, faster and more efficient work.

DISCOVER OUR TRAININGS

Liftisa, a company committed to safety in work at height

Studies have shown that it is three times faster to work from a lifting platform for work at height than from a ladder. The lifting platform It has no restrictions. Both hands can be used to carry out the work, have all the tools within reach and decreases the risk of falling.

At Liftisa we are experts in lifting. Are specialists in solutions for low-height work.

Since 1989, at Liftisa we have been offering solutions for companies that need to increase safety, productivity and efficiency in work at height.

We differentiate ourselves by our level of service and flexibility. Always oriented to find the best solution for our customers. Innovating and improving our product. We have a Large, new, modern fleet, of lifting platforms for people and material, from the best brands. Specialists in lifting platforms for low-height work.

For us, safety comes first and we are firmly committed to communicating the Regulations and Training necessary to work at height safely.

If you don’t want to miss any news, subscribe to our biweekly newsletter.

Join Liftisa WorkSmart.