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In 2016, the frequency of injuries (number of occupational injuries per 1,000 workers) fell to 24.59, a level never yet recorded. There were 18 fewer fatal workplace injuries and commuting injuries than in 2015.
According to the latest statistics, AUVA last year recorded 102,874 occupational injuries affecting workers and 55,032 injuries to nursery school children, school pupils and students. Moreover, 1,182 cases of occupational diseases were recognized. By comparison with 2015, the number of persons insured by AUVA increased, especially thanks to the record figure of around 3 million salaried workers. In 2016, 4,927,700 persons were insured by AUVA against occupational injuries and diseases, i.e. 1.5% more than the previous year. In 2016, the injury frequency rate was 24.59 versus 24.73 in 2015.
According to the chairman, Dr Anton Ofner, these figures confirm the validity of AUVA’s strategy, focused on “numerous risk prevention initiatives in Austrian companies of all sizes. If an injury occurs, we use all the knowledge of modern medicine in our hospitals and rehabilitation centres to attenuate its consequences as much as possible. However, the slight increase in the number of occupational injuries in absolute terms clearly shows us that we must not slacken our risk prevention efforts but, on the contrary, persevere”.
The number of days of lost work time following occupational injuries decreased by 46,349 last year, and that is mainly due to the quality of the medical care provided for the victims. For Austrian companies, this represents a saving of almost 9 million euros, with a productivity gain; for the Austrian economy, the cost was reduced by about 30 million euros.
