17 July 2024 | 
News
Workplace Injuries
Industrial protections
The first thing to understand is what workplace injuries are according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies in Italy. The definition is: “workplace injury refers to any injury that originates during work.”
For this article on workplace safety, we will take Italy as a case study.
According to INAIL (National Institute for Insurance against Workplace Injuries), in 2018 the following injuries occurred most frequently:
- 53.3%: fractures
- 15.8%: dislocations and sprains
- 13%: bruises.
Statistically speaking, there are a variety of causes that can lead to workplace injuries and lesions. According to industry associations, slips, trips, and falls represent the primary cause of occupational injury, accounting for 34.7%. Often there is not even a specific tripping hazard as evidenced by DGUV statistics on workplace injuries in 2016.
Other causes of workplace injuries include:
- Malfunctioning of tools, machinery, objects, and procedures;
- Incorrect lifting, transport, and storage operations;
- Non-compliance with safety standards;
- Lack of experience;
- Lack of awareness of safety and risks.
ITALY STATISTICS 2021
Falls from heights most often result in injuries caused by fractures, with over 77% of injured individuals presenting fractures. Compounding this statistic is the fact that in 50% of cases, the injury is a skull lesion. In other types of incidents, the most frequent injury is crushing, with 56.4% of cases, while in about 37% of events, the trauma is related to multiple locations.
Among workers, there is often the belief that experience alone is sufficient to avoid most accidents, but unfortunately, this is not the case. Workers with more than 3 years of experience in their role represent 77.3% of those who fell from heights, slightly higher than for other types of incidents (74.5%).
This proves that experience alone is not an effective means to combat injuries; specific training, tools, equipment, and PPE (personal protective equipment) are required as mandated by law.
FORKLIFTS
ReportsnReports stated that approximately 1,334 million forklifts were sold globally in 2017, with a year-over-year increase of 15.7%. Forklifts have become one of the important elements of workplace safety due to the injuries they cause.
In 2022, Italy recorded 2,238 forklift-related incidents, including 15 fatal cases. These numbers highlight the importance of safety in workplaces, particularly in industrial areas. An increasingly effective tool for preventing such incidents is the use of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs).
CONSEQUENCES
When the necessary precautions are not taken or implemented, the number of incidents can increase daily, potentially resulting in death. The most common causes of forklift accidents in Italy can be divided into five main categories:
- Vehicle Overturning: The overturning of a forklift can occur during maneuvers that are too fast or on uneven terrain. This type of accident is particularly dangerous as it can cause serious injury or even death to the operator.
- Falling Load: Incidents due to falling loads can occur when materials are not properly secured or when attempting to move an excessive load. This can lead to damage to goods and potential injuries to surrounding workers.
- Collision with Loads or Moving Machines: This type of incident occurs when a forklift collides with other objects, loads, or machinery within the work area. It is often caused by human errors such as lack of attention or ineffective communication between team members.
- Workers Trapped Between Loads or Moving Machines: In some cases, workers can become trapped between heavy loads or moving machinery. These incidents can cause severe injuries and are often the result of inadequate safety procedures or lack of training.
- Vehicles Crashing into People: Incidents where a forklift strikes a person are among the most serious and can have fatal consequences. These accidents can be caused by reduced visibility, operator misjudgment, or lack of awareness by pedestrians.
INAIL DATA
INAIL records 245 events out of approximately 5,500 cases recorded between 2002 and 2020. The majority of injured workers have more than 3 years of experience in their role, accounting for over 63% of the total. 57% of the injured had a permanent job, and just under 10% were partners (including in cooperatives).
CONCLUSIONS
It is evident that work experience, while important, is not sufficient to prevent all workplace injuries. Continuous training is necessary, along with the use of adequate equipment and personal protective devices. Among the most effective solutions for reducing the number of incidents are flexible safety barriers. These barriers can be essential in creating a safer work environment, protecting workers from the risks of impacts, falls, and collisions, thus contributing to a significant reduction in workplace injuries.
