Workplace safety: Which European nations register the highest numbers of work-related fatalities and injuries?
Celebrating Labour Day, Yet Concerns Linger Over Workplace Safety
As we celebrate Labour Day, recent Eurostat figures shed light on a seemingly positive trend: a 5% decrease in workplace accidents between 2017 and 2022. However, this progress masks ongoing concerns, as more than a third of European countries fail to meet the benchmark of one labor inspector per 10,000 workers[2].
In 2022, the EU witnessed 2.97 million non-fatal work accidents and 3,286 fatal work-related accidents. This translates to approximately 905 non-fatal accidents for every fatal accident[2]. While the number of accidents decreased by 4.6% compared to 2017, men accounted for a disproportionate number of these incidents. In fact, around two-thirds of non-fatal workplace accidents in the EU involved men, with the number of accidents involving men decreasing by 519 between 2021 and 2022[2]. However, the number of accidents reported for women increased, with an additional 87,929 cases in 2022.
Industries with the highest number of accidents in 2022 included manufacturing (18% of the total), human health and social work activities (15.8%), and construction (12.2%) [2]. Across the European Union, the fatality rate was 1.66 fatal accidents per 100,000 employed people in 2022 [2]. Notably, Malta, France, and Bulgaria reported the highest fatality rates, while the Netherlands, Greece, Germany, Sweden, and Ireland demonstrated the lowest rates[2].
In terms of non-fatal accidents, Denmark, France, Portugal, and Spain recorded the highest incidence rates, while Romania and Bulgaria illustrated the lowest rates among EU countries [2]. The two most common injuries in the EU were wounds and superficial injuries, dislocations, sprains, and strains, followed by concussions, internal injuries, and bone fractures[2].
The role of labor inspectors in fostering a safe work environment and ensuring decent working conditions cannot be overstated. However, the number of these professionals has declined worldwide between 2009 and 2022, as employment increased[3]. As early as 2021, research conducted by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) indicated that 35% of European countries fell short of the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) standard of one labor inspector per 10,000 workers[3]. Countries like Germany, France, and Spain currently have 6,009, 2,175, and 2,115 labor inspectors, respectively[1].
However, structural underfunding and workforce pressures have led to a decrease in the number of labor inspectors in many countries[1]. This trend is accompanied by deteriorating inspector contracts and resources, which compromises the effectiveness of labor inspectorates[1]. Insufficient oversight, enforcement gaps, and resource constraints in many countries pose significant challenges to work safety[1]. Countries with stronger labor inspectorates may be better equipped to address workplace hazards and ensure safety compliance.
- Workplace accidents
- Worker fatalities
- Labor inspectors
[1] "ILOSTAT data provides insight into declining labor inspectors per 10,000 workers in many countries."[2] "Latest Eurostat data reveals workplace accident statistics and a gender discrepancy in accident rates."[3] "ETUC research highlights the shortage of labor inspectors in over a third of European countries."[4] "Labor inspectors play a crucial role in promoting safe work environments and decent working conditions."[5] "Cuts to equipment and training resources further hinder labor inspectors' ability to address workplace hazards."
- Despite the decrease in workplace accidents by 5% between 2017 and 2022, as reported by Eurostat, there remains concern as a third of European countries fail to meet the benchmark of one labor inspector per 10,000 workers.
- In 2022, the EU witnessed 3,286 fatal work-related accidents, a statistic revealed in the latest Eurostat data, and around 905 non-fatal accidents for every fatal accident.
- Countries like Germany, France, and Spain currently have 6,009, 2,175, and 2,115 labor inspectors, respectively, but the role of labor inspectors in fostering a safe work environment and ensuring decent working conditions cannot be overstated.
- Insufficient oversight, enforcement gaps, and resource constraints in many countries, resulting from cuts to equipment and training resources, pose significant challenges to work safety.
- In terms of non-fatal accidents, countries like Denmark, France, Portugal, and Spain recorded the highest incidence rates, while the effectiveness of labor inspectorates is compromised due to structural underfunding and workforce pressures.
