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The number of reported occupational diseases increased by 60% in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The largest increase – 219% – was in the health and care sector.
The Swedish Working Environment Authority reports that it had urged employers in this sector to report any infection with SarsCov2. In addition, it reports gender disparities. The sector is dominated by female-dominated professions, and the increase in occupational diseases has overwhelmingly (85%) affected female workers. In other occupational fields, the number of reports of occupational diseases has decreased. The largest reduction, 43%, was in culture, entertainment and recreation. This is explained by the restrictive measures related to the health crisis.
According to provisional data, the number of accidents at work decreased in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Fatal accidents decreased from 21 to 13. Accidents with lost time decreased by 11% and those without lost time by 10%. Men reported the most accidents with lost time (9,572) and women reported the most accidents without lost time (17,867). One of the explanations for the decrease in the number of accidents at work is the call to telework, which was widely followed.
