Last year, 26 workers died while working on land in Norway. Of those killed, 25 were men and one woman. There were 22 dead Norwegian citizens.
Preliminary data from the Norwegian Occupational Safety and Health Administration indicate that 2023 workers died in land-based work due to occupational accidents in 26. The number of deaths due to accidents at work is approximately at the same level as in 2022, then in work was lost 27 employees.
Last year, 26 workers died at work
W in recent years ten years only in 2016 number of deaths was lower than in 2023. The average number of deaths caused by accidents at work in the ten years 2013–2022 is 32 per year.
Everyone must be safe at work
– In 2023 in fewer people died at work than in recent years. Although the differences are small, we observe a slight downward trend. We hope it continues in this direction because 26 deaths from work-related accidents is 26 too many, says Division Director Monica Seem of the Environmental Affairs Division work and regulations of the Norwegian Inspection Work.
Minister working and social inclusion Tonje Brenna emphasizes the importance of working safely in the workplace.
– One death is one too many. It is encouraging that the trend is towards safer and safer workplaces, but we cannot be satisfied. Everyone must be safe at work, says Brenna.
Systematic work on the working environment needs to be strengthened
– Employers must be aware of their responsibilities when mapping risks and preventing accidents. These figures show that this is not always properly monitored and that too often the consequences are disastrous. Systematic work on the work environment needs to be strengthened to move towards a zero death vision.
Most road accidents, crushes and falls
The three most common types of accidents in 2023 are: road accidents, crushing and falls. Eight people died in road accidents, six by being crushed or trapped, and six by falls.
– Road accidents and falls are two types fatal accidents, the number of which increases over the years. This is worrying and shows that businesses still have a lot of work to do when it comes to... traffic safety road and safe work at heights, says Monica Seem from the Norwegian Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Deaths due to accidents at work in ten industries
The number of deaths caused by land-based occupational accidents in 2023 occurred in ten different industries. This applies to the industry in which the deceased's employer is registered.
- Construction and construction activities: 6
- Transport and storage: 6
- Goods, repair of motor vehicles: 4
- Industry: 3
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing: 2
- Mining and quarrying: 1
- Accommodation and catering activities: 1
- Provision of professional, scientific and technical services: 1
- Provision of business services: 1
- Teaching: 1
Death due to accidents at work in almost the entire country
In 2023, deaths due to accidents at work were registered in 12 of the current 15 counties (as of January 1, 2024). One person died while working abroad. Four counties stand out with three to five deaths from work-related accidents:
- Vestland (5 deaths related to accidents at work)
- Trøndelag (5 deaths related to accidents at work)
- Møre and Romsdal (4 deaths due to accident at work)
- Østfold (3 deaths from occupational injuries)
In 2023, no one died in accidents at work in Oslo, Vestfold, Agder or Svalbard. One person died in the remaining counties.
Four foreign workers died on the job
In 2023, four foreign workers died. Three of those killed were employed at construction, and one in accommodation and catering .
This number remains at about the same level as in 2022, when at work three died foreign workers. IN in recent years five years, the number ranged from two to ten deaths per year, with an average of five deaths per year.
Systematic work in the work environment prevents accidents
Regardless of the industry and task, the employer is responsible for mapping and assessing risks and implementing risk mitigation actions. This is important so that employees can do their jobs safely.
– Responsibility for mapping and risk assessment applies both to planned work tasks and maintenance tasks, as well as when unexpected situations and deviations from planned tasks occur, says Seem.
– Accidents can and should be prevented. Our analysis shows that many companies do not prevent well enough, and many accidents could have been avoided. Simple measures are often needed to prevent injury or loss of life at work, but this requires daily work with safety practices at all levels.
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Source: arbeidstilsynet, Photo: pixabay
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