Fatal workplace incidents in Malta drop by 68%

The number of workplace accidents that lead to death fell sharply in 2023, while non-fatal incidents also decreased at a more moderate rate.

Five people passed away as a result of an accident while on the job in 2023, with four of these incidents occurring in the second half of the year.

In 2022, the total number was 16, meaning that fatal accidents decreased by 68 per cent year-on-year.

The good news carried over, albeit at a lesser rate, when looking at non-fatal accidents. Over the latter half of 2023, these decreased by 102, or 8.3 per cent, to 1,127.

Manufacturing retained its spot as the most dangerous sector in Malta, seeing 175 accidents Between July and December 2023. It was followed by the construction sector (141 accidents), the broad wholesale and retail trade and repair of vehicles category (141 accidents), and transportation and storage (126 accidents).

Of the 1,127 non-fatal accidents during the period, 874 involved men and 253 involved women. Almost every economic sector had more men than women getting injured, except for the education, health and social work sectors.

With respect to age cohorts, 27.3 per cent of the accidents involved persons in the 35 to 44 age-bracket.

In the period under review, 73.3 per cent of those involved in a non-fatal accident at work were Maltese (Table 5).

One third of those involved in an accident at work were absent from work for three days or less, while those absent from work for 21 days or more amounted to 18 per cent.

Almost one third (29.3 per cent) of the injuries at work affected the back, including spine and vertebra in the back. Wounds and superficial injuries, and dislocations, sprains and strains were the most common types of injuries, amounting to 748 and 298 cases respectively.

In the second half of 2023, 27.6 per cent of the accidents at work took place in enterprises with 500 or more employees.