The rise in occupational accidents in the Valencia Community has prompted urgent action, with authorities across the region focusing on preventing the most severe incidents, especially those resulting in worker fatalities. The Generalitat, alongside employers and unions, met to outline a concrete accident-prevention plan. A key element is allocating one million euros to drive measures that involve city councils in prevention and oversight through local police forces, complemented by awareness campaigns aimed at high-risk sectors.
Data underscore the urgency. Serious workplace accidents during working hours increased by 16.9% in 2022 to 367 incidents, while fatal accidents rose by 20.3% to 77 deaths. In the province of Alicante, 29 fatal accidents occurred during work hours, with six more on commutes, totaling 35—three times higher than in 2021 and the highest in 14 years. The current fiscal year has already seen nine deaths across the community, including two in Alicante, prompting an emergency meeting led by the Director-General of Labor, Elvira Ródenas, with representatives from Invassat, the Valencia Community Business Confederation (CEV), and unions CC OO and UGT.
The purpose of the gathering was a thorough diagnostic of the present situation, a root-cause analysis, and the creation of an accident-reduction plan based on a broad consensus among stakeholders. The plan envisions concrete actions to lower the incidence of the most serious accidents while building a solid prevention framework across the Community.
As Ródenas explained, participants offered several proposals, and next week the outlines should be finalized with an intent for immediate execution across the three provinces. The plan is not closed, but momentum is already visible through early steps, such as involving municipalities in oversight duties. The local police, the general manager noted, will know where work is underway or where actions are being taken, enabling proactive prevention efforts.
awareness
Awareness campaigns are planned to run through traditional media as well as more targeted channels addressing sectors with higher accident rates.
Funds previously managed by a national prevention foundation will shift to the autonomous level to support these actions. In the Valencian Community, the total allocation stands at just over one million euros. Ródenas emphasized the need for intervention, noting that the current figures are unacceptable and demand immediate action.
Fatal occupational accidents in the province tripled, reaching the highest level in 14 years.
Jaume Mayor, secretary for Occupational Health and Union Action for CC OO at the regional level, highlighted that about 90% of serious accidents occur in smaller firms with fewer than 50 employees. He argued that the lack of a strong union presence leads to only formal compliance with risk-prevention standards rather than genuine prevention.
Yaissel Sánchez, UGT secretary for l’Alacantí-Les Marines, believes the issue must be tackled by creating a traveling union representative role to enhance coverage in scattered workplaces.
CEV has pressed for the launch of a robust shock plan, now gaining traction as the current efforts unfold.
Special attention is being given to the installation of solar panels, which has been identified as a frequent source of falls from height. Elvira Ródenas noted that many incidents occur in highly subcontracted segments where it is challenging to identify responsible firms, underscoring the need for tighter supervision and clearer accountability.