Workplace fatal accidents go up

A total of 40 persons died at their place of work or while commuting in 2019, according to Statistics Finland.

Of these fatal accidents at work, 33 occurred to wage and salary earners, three to farmers and four to other self-employed persons.

In addition, 11 fatal accidents took place while commuting, of which 10 occurred to wage and salary earners and one to other self-employed person.

Of the victims of all fatal accidents at work, 33 were wage and salary earners, three farmers and four other self-employed persons.

The number of fatal accidents at work was higher than in the year before, as in 2018 a total of 37 persons died at place of work or while commuting.

A total of 137,000 accidents at work occurred in Finland during 2019. Of these, 126,400 occurred to wage and salary earners and 10,500 to self-employed persons (including farmers).

The majority of all accidents at work, 113,100 cases, occurred at places of work or while in work traffic, whereas 23,900 accidents at work occurred while commuting.

These numbers also include minor accidents at work that led to disability lasting less than four days and on which insurance companies paid compensation only for medical treatment expenses.

The number of accidents at work grew in 2019. Nearly 136,000 accidents at work occurred in 2018.