The open data on accidents and occupational diseases published on the Inail website concerning the complaints submitted in the first two months of this year are provisional data, the comparison of which requires caution. Overall, there was a reduction in accident reports (-29.1%), with 100 fatal cases (-12.3%) and an increase in work-related diseases (+28.7%).
The accident reports submitted to Inail in the first two months of the year were 86,483, compared to 121,994 in 2022. Among the management of Industry and services, Agriculture and State Account, there was a decrease of 36.4%, +4.2% and +13.9%, respectively. At the territorial level, the highest decline was in the North-West (-36.3%), followed by the South (-32.1%), Islands (-31.5%), Center (-27.3%) and North-East (-19.5%).
As for the fatal complaints by February 2023 there were 100 in total (14 less than in 2022), with decreases both in Industry and services (from 100 to 87 deaths), and in the State Account (from five to two). The decrease affected both the female component (-45.1%, from 58,004 to 31,867 reported cases), and the male component (-14.6%, from 63,990 to 54,616). To effectively quantify the phenomenon, however, it will be necessary to wait for the conclusion of the administrative-health process relating to each complaint for the entire duration of the 2023 vintage.
According to the Inail website, in the first two months of this year the number of fatal accidents decreased by 12.3%. But behind this data hides a complex picture of the causes of these injuries and illnesses.
Although it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why this discrepancy in the number of occupational deaths and illnesses can be identified, there are some trends that can be identified. For example, safety protocols vary from industry to industry, with some industries having stricter enforcement and oversight than others. In addition, health and safety training can often be neglected or neglected due to financial constraints or simply because it is not given sufficient importance.
In addition, the rate of accidents at work can also vary according to economic and cultural factors such as stress levels, work environment, level of pay and job security. All these factors contribute to the overall rate of occupational accidents and diseases in the different sectors.
It is undeniable that accidents and illnesses in the workplace are a tragedy and, even if reports of injuries and deaths have decreased, preventive action is still essential. Companies need to invest not only in safety equipment, but also train employees and ensure that safety protocols are followed correctly. Here are some tips on how to reduce the risk of accidents and illnesses at work: