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In 2019, the risk of accidents at work decreased and asbestos was the main cause of fatal occupational diseases. This is what emerges from the data published by the DGUV on 17 June.
Taking all groups of insured persons(1) , the 2019 figures are as follows :
- 871,547 accidents at work (5,651 less than in 2018)
- 497 fatal accidents at work,
- 186,672 commuting accidents (1,855 fewer than in 2018),
- 309 fatal commuting accidents.
As regards occupational diseases, professional associations and accident insurance companies have decided on their recognition in 78,234 cases. The suspicion of occupational disease was confirmed in 35,264 cases, i.e. 2,741 fewer than in 2018. Of the 2,555 insured people who died, the most common reason was occupational exposure to asbestos.
Children, pupils and students – legally covered by accident insurance in Germany – were the victims of 1,176,664 accidents and 108,787 accidents on their way to school. There were 44 fatal accidents, 39 of which occurred on the way to school, respectively five fewer and 14 more than in 2018.
The expenditure of professional associations and accident insurance companies on services, prevention and administration amounted to about €14 billion (+ 500 million). Costs increased in particular for medical care and rehabilitation (+319 million €) and prevention (+62 million €).
Graph of confirmed occupational diseases (PNG, 70 kB)
(1) For the first time, the DGUV has separated accidents at work “in the professional context” concerning employees and employers from those concerning other groups of insured persons such as volunteers and first-aiders for example.
