Workplace accidents persist, with construction being the riskiest sector; safety awareness is key.
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While the number of fatal and serious workplace accidents is slightly decreasing, VDI specialists noted multiple instances of deadly and serious incidents in 2024, including four fatal and 18 serious accidents in June and July, and three deaths in a single week in early October. The most dangerous activities involve warehousing, transportation, loading/unloading, construction/renovation, wood processing, agriculture, technical equipment maintenance, and logging. The construction sector presents the most problems. Data from “El Confidencial” indicates that the number of workplace deaths significantly decreased only during the pandemic in 2020, though the average number of fatalities remains high. In 2023, Spanish authorities recorded 647,495 workplace accidents affecting health or causing temporary disability, with over 80% occurring during work hours. Construction is considered the riskiest sector in Spain, with twice as many injuries reported compared to other fields. Both French and Spanish experts point to lack of attention as the primary cause of incidents. In Lithuania, VDI inspectors find that most fatal and serious accidents result from insufficient internal control of employee health and safety, improper risk assessment, inadequate work organization, or the use of unsuitable equipment, compounded by employees failing to follow safety rules. The head of the Employee Safety and Health Department emphasized that many accidents, like falls from height and loading incidents, could have been prevented with greater attention to employee safety, proper instruction, and employees taking greater responsibility for risk assessment and using protective gear. He also advised considering environmental factors like extreme heat or severe weather when organizing work. VDI specialists pointed out that Lithuanian law allows employees to refuse work if safe and healthy conditions are not met. While specific complaint data is not collected, over 21,000 instances of violations of employee health and safety principles were identified in companies last year. Meanwhile, France has an ongoing government campaign focusing on prevention and awareness, emphasizing employer responsibility, and includes a specific plan to combat occupational diseases.
