Work accidents in the Basque Country grow 17%, with 4,900 more claims than last year

A total of 33 780 Basque workers suffered a work accident that led to sick leave in the first eleven months of the year, which means 4,936 more people injured than in the January-November period of last year, that is, an increase of 17.1%. What’s more, mortality increased by 25% when accounting for 30 deaths.

According to data provided by Osalan, accidents on the shift between January and November amounted to 29,091 (+ 17.8%) and those recorded ‘in itinere’ to 3,277 (+ 11.6%). On the other hand, the relapses that led to sick leave were 1,412 (+ 16.6%).

Of the total accidents during work hours, 28,892 were mild, 172 severe, and 27 fatal. The incidents ‘in itinere’ of a minor nature were 3,250, 24 were serious and there were three deaths.

By territories, the accident rate grew 23% in Álava, with 5,407 accidents during work hours; 18% in Bizkaia, after registering 14,639 claims, and 15% in Gipuzkoa, after adding 9,045 accidents.

On the other hand, the Basque Country recorded in the period January-November 1232 new occupational diseases that caused sick leave, which represents an increase of 9% compared to those recorded in 2020.

The cases of occupational illnesses that did not cause sick leave rose to 1,270, 17.7% more than the 1,079 illnesses without work absence recorded between January and November 2020.

A worker dies in Zumaia

The most recent labor accident with fatal consequences in the Basque Country occurred this Saturday. A 45-year-old worker died in Zumaia as a result of an occupational accident. The operator rushed from the roof of an industrial warehouse that he was cleaning.

The emergency services could not do anything, and the worker died at the scene.