EU's construction sector fatalities continue to rise

Workplace safety remains a pressing issue across the European Union, with over 3,000 deaths and nearly 3 million injuries reported in 2022, according to Eurostat. The figures reveal that for every fatality, there are approximately 905 non-fatal injuries.

Workplace incidents can have devastating consequences, from fatalities to life-altering injuries. Fatal accidents are defined as those leading to death within a year of the incident, while non-fatal injuries often result in long-term harm, such as disabilities. These incidents not only affect victims but also impose emotional and financial burdens on families.

While workplace accidents occur across various industries, some sectors face disproportionately higher risks. Construction stands out as the most dangerous, accounting for nearly a quarter of all work-related deaths in 2022. Transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture also reported significant numbers of fatalities, collectively making up 65.5% of deadly incidents. In terms of non-fatal injuries, manufacturing led the way, followed by healthcare, construction, and trade.

Men are overwhelmingly represented in accident statistics, with over two-thirds of incidents involving male workers. This imbalance is largely attributed to the gendered nature of high-risk sectors, which tend to employ more men.

The lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in 2022 coincided with a 3% rise in non-fatal injuries, translating to an additional 87,139 incidents compared to the previous year. While fatal accidents saw a slight decline, the overall increase in injuries underscores the need for renewed focus on worker protection.

Germany recorded the highest number of non-fatal injuries, with over 700,000 cases, followed by France, Spain, and Italy. However, France reported the most fatalities, with over 600 deaths, highlighting stark differences in safety outcomes across EU countries.

While physical injuries dominate the statistics, the psychological impacts of work, such as burnout, remain an underreported yet critical issue. These disorders, though excluded from accident data, are increasingly recognised as a significant threat to worker wellbeing.