Occupational accident figures are returning to pre-pandemic levels in Alicante, after a dip during the height of the coronavirus outbreak. In the early months of this year, records show a rebound to numbers similar to those seen before Covid. A troubling trend is the rise in fatal accidents, with 13 workers in Alicante losing their lives by May, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy.
In the first five months of the year, the total number of workplace accidents registered in the province reached 7,158, about 7% higher than the same period in 2021, a rate close to what was observed before the pandemic.
Yet the growth in the past year has been more pronounced in serious accidents. They climbed 25% to a total of 64, and the number of fatal incidents rose sharply. The period from January to May saw a resurgence in workplace deaths after two years of decline, rising from 5 to 13 in a single period. If this pace continues, the full-year total could exceed the 32 deaths recorded in 2019.
CC OO and UGT unions describe the situation as worrying, noting that most occupational accidents are preventable. They are calling for stronger prevention measures and more comprehensive worker training. Javier Perez, head of Occupational Health for CC OO in l’Alacantí i les Marines, emphasizes that some companies have not even completed a risk assessment, the most basic level of protection. He argues that while more accidents can arise with higher activity, the underlying issue is a lack of a prevention culture.
Yassel Sanchez, the UGT general secretary in the Navy region, adds that prevention has often been deprioritized. He believes stabilizing patterns required by labor reform could help better train workers in these matters.
Occupational accidents 336 people died by May, 57 more per year
Both unions warn that a heavier workload and workplace stress are driving up accidents, especially for professionals returning to post-pandemic operations where risks may be under accounted for. While provincial breakdown is not yet available, it is estimated that of the 336 workplace deaths nationally by May, about one third stem from heart attacks, strokes and related conditions, up 25% from the previous year.
While part of the uptick can be tied to more workers being employed, the broader goal remains clear: reduce workplace accidents to zero. Joaquin Perez, head of the Alicante office of CC OO, stresses that continued efforts to educate the youngest workers are essential and urges employers to implement ongoing information campaigns in educational institutions.
Heat stroke
Unions argue that measures to prevent heatstroke must be strengthened, given recent high temperatures. The Occupational Health Officer of CC OO notes a lack of clear regulation. Indoor spaces may have temperature guidelines, but outdoor facilities often lack a maximum standard. He calls for concrete conditions to be included in agriculture and other sectors operating abroad.
Practical steps include preplanned field programs to avoid the hottest hours, shorter shifts where heat cannot be reduced, and access to lighter clothing. Perez notes that Alicante companies already face this issue and should address it decisively.
More paid and less self-employed
In Alicante up to May, 6,185 accidents occurred on workdays, up 4.6% from the prior period, while 977 happened during commutes, up 25.4% from before. Among workers affected, 6,693 were paid employees, while the number of self-employed workers injured rose from 544 to 465. The majority of incidents were minor, with 7,081 non-serious cases, 64 serious injuries, and 13 fatalities recorded.