In the province of Alicante, the rate of occupational accidents does not stop increasing and leaves the most heartbreaking trace in the form of deaths. And this closed last year with at least 35 fatal crashes, six of which were on the commute.That’s almost three times the previous year and the highest figure since 2008. The gradual increase in business activity after the pandemic is hidden behind this alarming record, which both employers and unions see as a record. must be dealt with through a shock plan that includes both socioeconomic elements and the Administration..
The latest data published by the Valencia Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (Invassat), Last year, the state of Alicante recorded 18,690 occupational accidents.16,028 on working day and 2,662 on sick leave while traveling. This is a global increase of 5.5% compared to 2021, when there were 15,019 accidents per working day and 2,266 on the road. Well, given that there is already alarming growth, the worst of the numbers is in the fatal accidents section. tripled compared to the previous yearwhile only 11 were registered, one of them was on the go.
According to the information gathered, Of the 29 deaths recorded at work, 14 are in the service sector., eight for construction, four for industry and three for agriculture. As for the six people on the route, five are from services and one from construction.
The strong increase recorded means that it is necessary to go back to 2008 to find higher figures., just at the outbreak of the Great Recession, when 37 fatal accidents were recorded. Of the 27 deaths that occurred during the working day at that time, 14 were related to services, while 10 were recorded in construction and three in industry. In the section on commuting allegations, there were five deaths in services, four in industry, and one death in construction.
The increase has not been that significant in the Valencian Community as a whole.but there was also a 34% increase in the number of deaths last year, going from 70 to 94 overall.
In any case, these escalations have raised all alarms, so both unions and employers agree that action is needed on this issue. CC OO-PV Occupational Health Secretary Jaume Mayor is shy to point out that the increasing evolution in accident rates is “more than alarming.” The data is devastating and compels us to take action to rectify this situation.” In this sense, sees continuous improvement as a priority in the prevention of both accidents and occupational diseases.adapting actions to the different realities of companies and employees.
Yaissel Sánchez, the UGT secretary at l’Alacantí-Les Marines, has repeatedly insisted on comprehensive compliance with occupational risk prevention plans in companies. creation of the mobile prevention delegate figure for smaller companies.
Salvador Navarro, president of the Valencian Community Business Confederation (CEV), prepare a regional shock plan equipped with resourceswith concrete measures to overcome the accident rate.
Consell prepares an occupational health and safety strategy
Generalitat, in collaboration with trade unions and employers, is working on the development of a Valencia strategy for occupational safety, health and well-being with measures to be implemented between this year and 2028. The goal is to put people at the centre. the center of all action to carry out preventive activities and improve working conditions in the Valencian Community as a whole. The elaboration of this document is addressed after the approval of the European strategy last year, as well as the initial preparation of the current national strategy. Valencian will adapt to the characteristics of the regional labor market.