Translated by Giulia Maffeis
In Bologna on April 9, 2024, there was yet another workplace accident. Due to the explosion of a turbine, a strong fire broke out, tragically resulting in seven deaths and five injuries.
This is just one of the countless workplace accidents that continue to mark 2024. In particular, INAIL reports that the first two months of 2024 saw an increase of 7.2% compared to January-February 2023: there were 92,711 accidents this year. Another alarming statistic is the increase in fatalities: there were 119 in the first two months of 2024, 19 more than the same months of the previous year.
January 2024 Data
The first month of 2024 had already hinted at a possible increase in this statistic, which was then confirmed with the publication of INAIL research in early April 2024.
In particular, the initial statistics divided the regional incidence of these incidents, highlighting red regions such as Valle d'Aosta, Trentino Alto-Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo, and Calabria. These regions showed a 25% higher percentage compared to the national average, which identifies 1.4 workplace deaths per million inhabitants.
Furthermore, another point of interest is the demographic data: it appears that older workers, particularly those over sixty, are the most affected.
In addition to age, another significant factor is the sector most affected by fatal accidents: construction, followed by Accommodation and Food Service activities, Transportation and Warehousing, and Manufacturing activities.
INAIL Data
In January-February 2024, reports of workplace injuries increased by 7.2% compared to 2023, a figure that had declined compared to 2019. Furthermore, a significant increase is observed in the Northwest, particularly a 19.3% increase in the province of Trento.
On the other hand, recorded fatal cases are on the rise, with the highest incidence in Southern Italy, followed by the Islands. Nevertheless, the most affected region with eight cases is Lombardy. The male gender appears to be the most affected, with 110 cases, compared to 9 cases among women. Finally, the age group most affected is that of individuals aged between 45 and 54 years old, with 37 cases.
A Dangerous Assessment
Although it is still too early to understand the final outcomes of 2024 in this sector, the incident at the hydroelectric plant in the province of Bologna is yet another wake-up call to a problem that Italy and Europe are trying to address.
In this regard, Minister of Justice Nordio on March 24, 2024, launched a working group in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor to propose workplace safety measures. This group will convene on April 26, chaired by academics and technicians, with the aim and will to find possible solutions to this alarming issue within twelve months.
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