Sustained reduction in fatal work-related accidents

In 2005, a total of 74 persons in the Netherlands died from work-related accidents. Older workers are overrepresented.

Sharpest decline in sectors construction and services

Fatal accidents on the shop floor declined over the last years. The 2005 death toll of 74 was 19 down on 2004 and 34 down on 2003. The most dramatic reduction was recorded in the construction sector where the number of fatal accidents was almost halved in 2005. The reduction was also significant in the services sector. The number of accidents involving (parts of) a building, scaffold or ladder was reduced dramatically.

Manufacturing industry and construction account for nearly half of victims

Three in every ten victims were working in the construction sector, nearly one in five in manufacturing industry. The highest rate of fatal accidents, 6.9 per 100 thousand workers, was recorded in agriculture and fisheries. In this sector, a relatively large number of victims are 65 or older and children under the age of 15.

Fatal work-related accidents by sector, 1996/2005

Older people run higher risk

The risk of a fatal work-related accident increases with advancing age. The rate per 100 thousand workers averaged 1.2 in all age categories between 25 and 44. With a rate of 5.9 per 100 thousand workers, the risk is evidently higher for over-65s, but it should be borne in mind that this group is relatively small.

Fatal work-related accidents by age, 1996/2005

Caught between objects and fatal fall

Nearly half of all people involved in fatal work-related accidents were caught between objects or crushed to death by a moving object. More than one quarter were killed in a fatal fall.

One third of fatal work-related accidents caused by transport equipment

One in three fatal work-related accidents involved transport equipment. One in four involved a building, scaffold or ladder. These accidents mostly occurred in the construction sector.

Fatal work-related accidents by main object involved, 2001/2005

Wim van den Berg