site.btaOccupational Accidents Last Year Increase by 114, Those with Fatal Outcome Decrease by a Quarter

Occupational accidents in Bulgaria increased by 114 in 2024 compared with 2023, but those with a fatal outcome decreased by a quarter, the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) reported on Monday.

A total of 3,108 work-related incidents were reported to NSSI in 2024. These included 2,823 accidents, 2,376 of which occurred in the workplace and 447 on the way to work or back from work. There were 64 fatal occupational accidents, four of which happened to women. Fifty-three fatalities occurred in the workplace and in the line of duty, and the remaining 11 happened on the way to work or back.

Occupational accidents in 2024 resulted in the loss of 164,478 man-days.

Work-related fatalities were most numerous in construction (16), the manufacturing industries (11), transport, storage and posts (9), and trade, plus auto and motorcycle repairs (8).

Occupational accidents were registered in 80 out of 88 economic segments.

Accidents in the workplace grew by 89, and those on the way to or back from work went up by 25. Fatal occupational accidents decreased by 23. Occupational accidents went down in 37 economic segments and up in 36 segments, and remained unchanged in 11 segments.

Work-related accidents in 2024 increased most notably in retail trade, exclusive of trade in automobiles and motorcycles (+40), the manufacture of rubber and plastic products (+21) and specialized construction activities (also +21), and decreased most significantly in the manufacture of basic metals (-19), civil service (-18), food production (-16) and engineering construction (also -16).

The man-days lost because of occupational accidents in 2024 were 4,119 fewer than in 2023.

The average period of temporary disability caused by an occupational accident was 58.26 calendar days, 9 days less than a year earlier, NSSI said.