Illustrative image of distress at work.

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With 655,715 new claims recognized, work accidents increased slightly in 2019 (+ 0.6% compared to 2018), but recorded an increase of 4% in services, in particular in tertiary activities (administrations, banks, insurance …), Health Insurance said on Tuesday.

In detail, in 2019, work accidents increased by 1.3% in the temporary work and social action sectors, by 0.6% in metallurgy activities, by 0.3% in transport and energy and 0.2% in food, said Health Insurance - Occupational Risks.

Record of commuting accidents

The overall increase in workplace accidents is “attributable to the 2% increase in the number of employees”.

On the other hand, the frequency of work accidents, which stands at 33.5 per 1,000 employees, is down slightly compared to 2018. It has remained at a stable level for several years and still historically low.

The construction, wood, paper, textile, non-food trade and chemicals sectors are down slightly (between 0 and 1% decrease in the number of work accidents).

On the other hand, commuting accidents record their “highest level ever since 2000” with nearly 99,000 cases, ie an increase of “less than 1%”.

For the second year in a row, the number of occupational diseases is also increasing (+ 1.7% compared to 2019) with 50,392 cases recognized.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are responsible for 88% of them.

Asbestos-related occupational diseases are stabilizing, while work-related mental illnesses as well as conditions linked to crystalline silica are increasing (by + 6% and + 13.9% respectively).

A subsidy to protect employees from Covid

On the prevention side, in 2019 the Health Insurance - Occupational Risks offered companies with less than 50 employees an unprecedented grant scheme to prevent the most frequent risks (purchase of equipment, training, etc.) for a total of 90 million. euros in financial aid.

A “Covid Prevention” grant launched in May 2020 aimed at helping companies with less than 50 employees as well as self-employed workers to finance up to 50% of their investment in protective equipment against Covid-19, had been the subject of 40,000 requests to regional funds (Carsat, Cramif or CGSS) as of July 31.

Fifty million euros will be devoted to it by the branch, says Health Insurance.

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